American Indian Village Tonya Johnson & The Bladensburg Waterfront Park Staff
The American Indian Village at Patuxent River Park was a replicated from the Eastern Woodland Indian Village giving visitors opportunities to experience the history of the Indigenous peoples of Prince George's County, Maryland and the surrounding areas. Built largely by local teenage volunteers, the village replicates eastern woodland villages. Different items at the village, which was built over 18 months, include a 40-foot long longhouse, a wigwam, archaeological exhibits, a garden, and stations showing the processes for hide tanning, net weaving and mat making.
Focus Forward Young Adult Occupational Program Antoinette Battle, Leigh Ann Eckenrode, Valerie Lewis Taylor
Ms. Battle and Ms. Eckenrode submitted this program initiative as an inventive idea to encompass an under-served population of youth, ages of 16 to 24, whom often go unrecognized within the parks and recreation facilities. The ten-week Focus Forward program concentrated on college and career preparation as well as social and financial enrichment for youth. Twenty participants attended career and college fairs, goal and communication workshops and one on one lifestyle coaching. At the completion of the ten-week course, participants experienced a graduation ceremony and celebration. Ms. Battle and Ms. Eckenrode have plans to expand the successful program and open the application process to more participating recreation facilities in the future.
10 Things Every Young Man Should Know Natalie Smart
This 12-week program designed for boys’ ages 14-17 was to provide essential life skills to under-served and resource lacking populations. As part of the Transforming Neighborhood Initiative, the program was emplaced to strategically teach life skills to young men in order to improve their chances of success as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. 20 youth participated in the free program. Ms. Smart collaborated with several departments including Maintenance, Park Police, Public Affairs and Marketing, Sports Health and Wellness and Central Area Division to develop this program and make it a success.