Sponsored by Vermont Afterschool Association, students from Hartford Middle School attended bi-weekly Council meetings where our Director, Maureen Burford. She taught them Framework strategies that supported wise communication, decision-making, and follow-through.

The council received a $5,000 grant from the state of VT, and the students were charged with overseeing its allocation. To do so they:

1) Identified three areas within their community to help 2) Put out a call for proposals from fellow students. 3) Guiding the application process. 4) Lead their school community through a review of the proposals and voting process. 5) Supported the implementation of the winning projects.

Director Maureen Burford served as a guest music teacher, where she applied Framework principles to teaching chorus, music, and musical theater.

Creative Lives-Style Afterschool Program (CLASP) was a “lab” for developing applications of the Framework and aided in the formation of our multi-live training.

Children at CLAPS studied gardening, biomimicry, science, yoga, art, dance, music, circus arts, martial arts, cooking, and nutrition.

Our CLASP students helped build a permanent garden behind their school and a labyrinth for future students to enjoy.

With our help, they prepared bi-monthly community suppers, hosted family traditions nights, and produced original theater and art projects for their community.

Working with the Hartford, Vermont Recreation Department (HRD), we implemented a two-day training for all on-site staff and field support.

In 2021 the Recreation Program Directors took our 16-week Framework course, leading to innovation in their hiring process, programming, scheduling, and counselor/counselor-in-training (CIT) support.

In addition, the Creative Lives team offered supplementary programs for youth at the camps, including art, drama, restorative ecology, and character development.

Director Maureen Burford offered character and life skills education to third-grade students in Norwich, VT.

The Family Place sponsored Creative Lives’ first “Adventures in Parenting” Course, resulting in a new curriculum for supporting families with Framework tools and strategies.

In collaboration with Creative Lives, Moosical Theater Camp supported youth with Framework tools and strategies. Campers learned the basics of stagecraft and participated in all aspects of creating an original theatrical production.

A final performance of “Malulabell, The Savvy Solstice Cow.” was held at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, VT supported by professional musicians from the area.

As part of our work with HRD, Creative Lives initiated a music theater program called Broadway Ventures.

The Camp Directors participated in an additional week-long training and integrated Framework principles, tools, and strategies in creating and implementing the camp.

The program enrolled students in 5th-12th grade Staff and students put on a fully staged Broadway production.

Based on this success, Broadway Ventures is now a stand-alone program housed in the Hartford, VT School District.

Creative Lives supported Bridgewater Community Center in opening a holistic childcare program in 2022.

This project included a long-term planning phase, hiring, and training the Program Director. This is now a stand-alone program serving 14 infants and toddlers and expanding to include preschool.

With a grant from the United Way, Creative Lives® partnered with this martial arts studio that emphasizes inner awareness and collaboration over combat.

Students attending this program made gains in their mind-body connection and physical coordination, focus, self-esteem, and collaborative skills.