For 10 days In June 2014, alumni from Cherokee Creek Boys Boarding School in Westminster, SC ran the river, hiked, camped and practiced leadership skills under the supervision of CCBS TREKS Manager Spencer Palmer.

Here is a short video of that event, which we hope will become an annual event of fun and learning for our alumni.

We are excited to announce that we are bringing back our martial arts program for our students at Cherokee Creek Boys School.

Martial arts classes teach discipline, focus, awareness, self-control and self-defense. The physical body improves in coordination, conditioning and stamina, while the mind improves in self-esteem and confidence.

Our martial arts classes strive to offer a fun and energetic, yet disciplined, environment where students learn cooperatively. We’ll focus on breathing, balance, awareness, and posture to develop efficient ways of moving. Martial principles are incorporated into games and martial techniques with students practicing in pairs or small groups taking turns being the attacker and defender.

Our Director of Operations, Phil Fairbrother, is organizing the martial arts program. He is excited to have an opportunity to share some his personal martial arts passion and experience with our students.

The CCBS Art Club was developed by CCBS students with the intention of having a weekly opportunity to create, paint, build, paste, and draw.

Within all that we do at our school, we strive to practice what we’ve learned from the Lessons of the Medicine Wheel. That includes what we do in our Art Club.

Our latest project was aimed towards the characteristic of the “Visionary” in the Medicine Wheel in which we focused upon our creativity.

The Visionary statement implores us to “tell the truth without blame or judgment”, and encourages us to practice being “creative,” “authentic,” “truthful,” and “insightful.” The project was inspired by Henri Matisse, and artist who was known for “brilliant color and exaggerated form to express emotion”.

The objective of the project was to use shape and color to express their name and represent their personality and character. The boys used shapes and colors to communicate their interests. (For more information about this specific project please visit http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/Michelle-name.htm)

One loyal member of the Art Club, Richard, shares how the group originated. He explains, “A CCBS graduate named Ryan started the Art Club all by himself. He was always on time (for the gatherings) and told us what we were doing that day and how to do it. He was a leader to the group and gave us facts about art. When Ryan left, he passed on to me the ability to lead and take charge of the Art Club.”

What do you think of these masterpieces from the Matisse project? We think the boys exceeded all expectations for the guidelines of this project!

We are always looking for more ideas…what were some of your favorite art projects?