Valentines of Love from After School Buddies

The girls of After School Buddies have been busy this month. All over Bend, they have been preparing "love treats" for others. From preparing Valentines for St. Vincent de Paul patrons, to Hershey Kiss roses for the guests at the Bethlehem Inn to cake pops for Alzheimer patients at Claire Bridge, we have been blessing many around town. It's the time of year to share with others some of the love that we receive!

Practicing Kindness

Southside Buddies practiced kindness by making friendship bracelets for an orphanage in Rwanda, Africa. Many of us had to use last week's virtue, patience, while learning how to tie special patterns with the string. During our group discussion, one Little Buddy explained that kindness can also be shown in simple ways like smiling or giving a friendly hello.  You girls rock!

Southside Buddies at Elk Meadow

Big Buddies, Claire and Jamie, taught the group about the virtue of patience. During our group discussion, Little Buddies and Big Buddies alike agreed that patience is an important virtue that allows us to interact with others respectfully and create a peaceful environment. Everyone put their patience to the test by doing an art project with very limited supplies and playing a fun variation of "Red Light, Green Light". 

Buddies 2012 Starts the 1st Week In January

It's the season of fun and friends with young women connecting with and mentoring young girls all over Bend.

Are you or your high school/college daughter/friend wanting to positively change the lives of 4th-8th grade girls?

Does your elementary or middle school girl want to belong to a really fun and motivating girls group? Do you want to help them SURVIVE and THRIVE??? Enroll them in After School Buddies!

We have 3 elementary programs for 4th-5th grade girls.

• Eastside Buddies - Buckingham School - Tuesdays from 3:00 -5:30 (students come 3:30-5:15)
• Midtown Buddies - Grace Baptist Church - Wednesdays from 1:30-5:00 (students come from 2:15 or so -5:00)
• Southside Buddies -Elk Meadow School - Wednesdays from 1:30-5:15 (students come from 2:00-5:00)

Our middle school program meets on Wednesdays at Christian Life Center on the east side of Bend from 1:30-4:30. Bend schools provides bus transportation from Sky View, High Desert and Pilot Butte Middle Schools. Car pools may be available from other schools.

The programs are free for students. High school girls earn community service credits towards graduation. Adult women will gain unbelievable satisfaction in knowing you can truly make a serious difference in the future of a young girl.

To learn more, contact Char Schulz, Executive Director, at www.afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com or call 541 390-3046.

Buddies Camp 2011

Time to start thinking about tropical weather and island paradise scenes.. and Buddies Camp 2011. Our theme this year is "Under the Sea".. exploring the world of "Living Waters'.

Day Camp 2011 promises to be another amazing experience of relationship building, FUN water play, camp crafts, games not to mention the amazing devotional time getting to know God and His love for you!

If you are interested in participating as a teen/young adult mentor/leader or to register your 4th-8th grade daughter as a camper - email Director Char Schulz at

afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com.

Summer is here.. and that means it's Camp Time!!

Spring Fun with Buddies

All kinds of great things happen when you are a part of After School Buddies. From learning about the virtures of perseverance and diligence to experiencing the joy of trying out new activities - Buddies 2011 are loving life together. Spring has included lessons on the Chinese language and culture presented by Big Buddy Hailey, learning to experience and share joy while trying out Zumba with Joy, sharing compassion while serving at the Bend Community Center, and bountiful blessings celebrating Saint Patrick's day with Irish dancing. Students were inspired by Dr. Kittie to believe in themselves and reach for their goals. Even an all-Buddy swim party added to the fun of the season. Our girls continue to share great experiences each and every time they spend time together - learning to love each other and others as they have been loved by God.
Want to be a Big Buddy? It's not too late! We would love to meet you and see if Buddies is for you! Email me at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com. Hugs!

Middle School Girls Help Out School Kitchen

Recently our middle school Buddies paid a visit to Bend High School's Nutritional Services kitchen to help prepare some of the hundreds of breakfast sandwiches needed for morning meals. Buddies learned the ins and outs of mass production of school lunches. Hopefully they will appreciate the work it takes to prepare so many meals each and every day!