• Tag Archives Volunteering

  • The Read Aloud America RAP is once again seeking volunteers…

    Posted on by DebC Comment
    Just one of the messages and some of the fun, reinforcing incentives at the Fall 2008 Read Aloud Program (RAP) at Waikoloa.

    The Read Aloud America Read Aloud Program (RAP) is once again seeking volunteers to be volunteer readers as well as volunteers who can substitute as readers on short notice. This news is from Hawaii247.org!

    There will also probably be a need for volunteer escorts to assist in getting groups to the assigned reading rooms and back to the cafeteria. More information on the schools offering the RAP and the dates each will be presented may be found here –> Read Aloud America Read Aloud Program (RAP) as well as contacting the representative for Read Aloud America RAP at (808) 224-1727 for more information.

    The Fall 2008 Read Aloud Program (RAP) at Waikoloa had an impressive turnout.

    I first had the incredible Privilege to be a part of this GREAT Program in Fall 2008 at Waikoloa Elementary School as a Reader Escort! As you can see from the post that I made after the first night of the RAP sessions in August 2008, it was an awesome experience!  It only got better from there right down to the very last night that was a mix of laughter and joy as presentations were made; and an undertone of melancholy for the end of this wonderful, semi-weekly event.

    It was very similar and just as FUN at the Waimea RAP during the same time frame. They staggered alternate nights and dates to make both possible as well as making it possible for me to volunteer at both! I gained an immense amount of information and ideas in addition to an understanding for what keeps the attention of the children. If it is possible for you to go and sign up, please do! They can usually put any and all volunteers to helpful tasks; and the rewards are numerous.


    📂This entry was posted in Hawai'i Must Share Volunteering 📎and tagged

  • How I Spent Valentine’s Day & Enjoyed It!

    Posted on by DebC 1 Comment

    How does one spend Valentine’s Day when married to an astronomer?

    Volunteering is Reward Enough!
    Volunteer

    Well, Andy and I volunteered at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Mauna Kea where we cleaned and repaired the station’s telescope eyepieces!
    Before we set to work on the large task ahead that filled the rest of our day, Andy ‘got’ us lunch at Hale Pohaku 😉 Well, actually lunch was provided by the VIS for our volunteer time; but we were spending the time together on Valentine’s Day!

    Andy and I methodically cleaning all of the eyepieces for the VIS .
    Andy and I methodically cleaning all of the eyepieces for the VIS .

    After lunch, we made our way back down to the VIS and gathered up all of the eyepieces. At the classroom/warehouse, we collected our tools and cleaning supplies and set up for the several-hour task ahead.

    The tunes were the first order of business that we set up to keep us company. Then we organized the table with cleaning supplies, tools and eyepieces – MANY eyepieces.

    My first Tele Vue 16mm Naglar eyepiece of many parts that I had the pleasure of cleaning.
    My first Tele Vue 16mm Naglar eyepiece of many parts that I had the pleasure of cleaning.

    We kept notes for each make of eyepiece as we took it apart and sketched the order and direction of each lens and spacer so we were sure to put them back together in the right order and orientation.

    It felt odd at first to take apart such nice elements of manufacturing; but I soon found that keeping the notes and carefully documenting each new configuration, the task was quite enjoyable. In fact, I enjoyed the challenge a great deal.

    In pieces to better clean it throughout. No need to mark the field lens on this one, it had a Fractured chip to mark it.
    In pieces to better clean it throughout. No need to mark the field lens on this one, it had a Fractured chip to mark it.

    It was also fun to get the lenses clean and fiber free then to succeed at getting all the pieces back together again, in the correct order; and still have it remain fiber free between the lenses 😀

    They are like a cross between a jigsaw puzzle and a wood puzzle box; or in this case, a metal puzzle box.

    Continue reading → Post ID 544


    📂This entry was posted in Astronomy Hawai'i Volunteering 📎and tagged