By Jennifer Lawhead

Executive Director Austin Aspires

Research has revealed that students who identified their sparks and whose sparks were supported had positive behaviors in the areas of attendance, academics, avoidance of violence, and adaptability. Sparks also help build a foundation for school success as they contribute to resilience and well-being.

Aren’t these the things we want for our children? Isn’t this what we want for ourselves? As our children are out of school this summer, there are many opportunities in Austin to nurture their sparks. Below is some information about sparks and where you might find opportunities to nurture these sparks around our fine community. However, please note that it is not an all-inclusive list.

We define the Creative Arts spark as expressing creativity and imagination through literature, and performing and visual arts. We have boundless opportunities in Austin for young people with this spark. From theater camp (“Stuart Little”) with Matchbox Theater, arts and crafts classes through Community Education and the Artworks Center, enjoying the entertainment of the Austin Artworks Festival, opportunities at the Paramount, summer music camps through MacPhail, Austin is rich with arts activities for young people!

Again, in the area of Athletics, defined as participating in recreational or competitive physical activity as individuals, small groups, or teams, we are again fortunate to have many opportunities to engage in this spark. Swimming lessons at the YMCA and Austin Municipal pool, basketball, football and soccer camps, and beautiful bike trails provide numerous opportunities to develop the athletic spark.

Subject Matter spark is having a passionate interest in a topic or issue. Of course there are a multitude of places to explore this spark, but we can think of none finer than the Austin Public Library as a place to get started in exploring this spark. Whether it be a passionate interest in Helen Keller, to an interest in robotics, this is a great place to begin your learning journey. In addition, if your spark is reading, the library is also your starting spot. With their Summer Reading program in place, you have the opportunity to increase your spark of reading by checking out some new titles. Also, if you go to free summer lunch at I.J. Holton this summer, you can check out a book through Readers Café!

It is an amazing thing to see the evident of the spark of serving, making an impact for the greater good, in our community. Often going hand in hand with serving is leading, which we define as influencing, empowering, and inspiring others. There are many opportunities for young people to serve and lead this summer. Many churches host VBS that require active engagement from volunteers to run effectively. Many organizations need volunteers in the summer. Please contact your local place of worship, non-profit organization, or school to seek serving opportunities this summer. Spirituality, cultivating relationships with inner self and/or a higher power as part of a search for meaning, can be explored through our various faith institutions, yoga and meditation practice. For many people, their spiritual practice includes time in nature. This is also a top spark for many young people. Whether enjoying classes at the Jay C. Nature Center, hiking the trails, or exploring our local waterways, there are many opportunities to nurture this spark during the summer months.

Finally, many of our young people have caring for animals as a spark. We define this as providing maintenance, compassion and companionship. If young people don’t have pets of their own, they could volunteer to walk a neighbors’ dog, or pet-sit for folks going on vacation. There are some amazingly healing qualities of spending time with animals.

No matter your child’s spark, there are a multitude of opportunities to explore these sparks in Austin. Ask your child today, “what is your spark?” Ask yourself, “what is your spark?” Then look for opportunities to explore these sparks in Austin this summer.