The Lewis & Clark Institute is very pleased to announce several joint ventures for this summer of 2010.  LCSI is offering a new creative writing class for students in grades five through eight.  It’s called “CREATURE FEATURE.”  The class will focus on helping kids become better writers.  One of the groups that has already agreed to bring in some of its animals for kids to touch, research, and write about will be Support Dogs, Inc.

     Support Dogs, Inc. was founded to raise and train assistance dogs to help adults with mobility-related needs.  Through the years, the scope of Support Dogs’ services has changed to include youth who are mentally and/or physically disabled, as well as “hearing dogs” for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Support Dogs continues its proud tradition of placing assistance dogs at no cost to qualified individuals with mobility- or sensory-related needs.  Should you want more information on Support Dogs, please call Support Dogs’ Programs Director Bill Dahlkamp at (314) 997- 2325. or check out their website at www.supportdogs.org. 

     Again this year, LCSI is teaming up with COCA (Center of Creative Arts), headquartered in University City, to offer a fabulous course called “COCA-- Lights, Camera, Action” in Session One at Saint Louis University.  COCA’s mission is one that “provides exceptional arts education through programs, performances, and exhibitions,” and that fits seamlessly with the mission of the Lewis & Clark Summer Institute.  LCI wants to thank Eileen Manganaro, Director of Community and Social Relations at COCA, for helping make this class possible.