Testimonials
Students
Lila Hirt
South Ripley Elementary School, Versailles, IN
“In Robotics camp I learned how to start with a plan in a notebook, how to code, understand all the parts you need for a robot and finish with building a robot. It was also good to learn that not every idea works but you keep changing it until it works. I enjoyed the aquatics program because I got to touch the sharks.”
Anessa Uhlarik
St. Nicholas Catholic School, Sunman, IN
“The pieces we made in DIY Woodworking Camp are really cool. It takes a lot to make a charcuterie board and a sign, but it was worth the time and effort we put in to make pieces like these.”
Kaleb Sullivan
Jac-Cen-Del High School, Osgood, IN
“Having to take charge in Rube Goldberg was an eye-opening experience. Learning to use my problem-solving skills and communicating with a team will be beneficial for me as I continue my path to a career in Engineering.”
Max Morack
South Ripley Junior High School, Versailles, IN
“By putting together your own bike in Kids Building Bikes Camp, you can learn problem-solving skills and how to take care of something that belongs to you. Being able to fix your own bike lets you save money and time on repairs.”
Educators
Jill Hollins
St. Louis Catholic School, Batesville, IN
“As a classroom teacher, I have luckily been given the opportunity to work with Genesis: Pathways to Success. Genesis provides many learning opportunities for our Ripley County students that push them further in their thinking and learning experiences to increase their academic achievement. The impact Genesis has had on the students I work with has helped to produce confident learners who strive for success.”
Tracy Bear
Southeastern Career Center, Versailles, IN
“Genesis: Pathways to Success and the Southeastern Career Center's partnership continues to grow each year. Through this partnership, students are being exposed to career pathways to better prepare themselves for the workforce upon graduation.”
Community Partners
Emili Uden
Kids Discovery Factory, Batesville, IN
“Kids Discovery Factory has been working alongside Genesis: Pathways to Success for over five years. Both organizations strive to increase access to meaningful STEAM experiences that spark innovative thinking and encourage kids to explore a variety of life and career pathways. Together, we are building a pipeline that connects our region’s youngest learners to hands-on, educational experiences.”
Tom Hanley
Nine13sports, Indianapolis, IN
“Our partnership with Genesis: Pathways to Success has allowed us to positively impact the lives of thousands of kids across Ripley County. Over the last 2 years, we have been able to bring our Kids Riding Bikes programming to the P.E. classes of 6 local elementary and middle schools teaching kids all about the mental and physical health benefits of riding a bike, serving an average of nearly 950 kids annually. We have also had the opportunity to bring our Kids Building Bikes program to the area multiple times allowing more than 30 local youth to earn a brand new mountain bike, helmet, lock, and set of tools along with the confidence that comes along with a new set of skills. All of this has been made possible by our partnership with the Genesis: Pathways to Success Team!”
Parents
Ben Peetz
Napoleon, IN
“The Genesis: Pathways to Success program has provided numerous great opportunities for students to explore educational adventures right here in our own community. The summer camp programs provide fun, exciting ways to explore new concepts – and the Harry Potter camp was certainly the biggest hit for our daughter! From aquatic sciences to astronomy, the activities encompass a broad array of interests that allow students to experience hands-on STREAM activities outside of a traditional classroom – and then be able to take those skills and interests home to continue exploring.”
Brandy Hicks
Milan, IN
“Both my children have benefited greatly from the Summer of STREAM activities offered by Genesis. My daughter attended a bike building camp where she not only built confidence in herself, but also made friends, and her enthusiasm encouraged my son to also sign up for the camp. My children also participated in the Future Ready Robotics Camp. Because of these camps, my kids have confidence in their voices and the knowledge they are engineers. These are the kinds of programs that we need for our children in this community.”
Mindy Bush
Osgood, IN
“My daughter has learned and experienced so much by going to A Summer of STREAM camps! My son went for the first time this year (2023) and they all helped him through his anxiousness and were so compassionate and encouraging. He is now ready for next year’s Summer of STREAM! Amy and the whole gang put so much heart and soul into everything they do for these kids! Ripley County is very fortunate to have the Community Foundation and all the remarkable people that work and volunteer for it!”
Abe Streator
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
“During my tenure at Genesis, I learned the value of innovative and creative thinking. Genesis searches for unique avenues to impact a community, which is especially seen through the A Summer of STREAM initiative. The summer camps were able to connect STEM principles and students attending these camps learned chemistry through cooking, geometry through woodworking, and engineering through building bikes.”
Interns
Gus Kellerman
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
“Working with Genesis, particularly during A Summer of STREAM, I witnessed the impact its activities and camps have on learning and education in Southeastern Indiana. The initiatives offered by Genesis provide opportunities for attendees to develop valuable educational and career oriented skills, while encouraging students to view learning as a life-long goal that stretches far beyond the classroom.”
Volunteers
Rebekah Dodge
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
“Rube Goldberg taught me the importance of working as a team and having diversity. I had to learn how to lead a team with very different ideas and funnel those ideas into one working machine. As I was forced more and more into the real-world, I realized that the leadership skills I learned in Rube Goldberg would help me in college and in my career.”