Students and mentors reconnect as Marco Island’s annual ‘Buddy Day’ resumes in-person
Updated: 6:14 PM EST Feb 19, 2024
After four years of virtual-only sessions due to the pandemic, the much-anticipated Buddy Day tradition resumed today, bringing together second-graders from the Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program and adult mentors at Hideaway Beach on Marco Island.This 32-year-old Marco Island tradition has been a highlight for both students and mentors, providing a day of fun, learning and mentorship. The annual Buddy Day, hosted on Hideaway Beach, offers a variety of activities including outdoor learning, arts and crafts and environmental education for the participating students.Participants include second-graders from the Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program, Hideaway Beach residents and community volunteers who eagerly awaited the chance to make a positive impact on young minds.This year’s Buddy Day is made possible through the collaboration of several organizations committed to fostering education and community engagement. Participating organizations include Big Cypress National Preserve, whose representatives will lead an exciting birding expedition, Kids2Camp, the YMCA of Collier County, Marco Island Fire Department, Marco Island Shell Club and Seminole Casino Immokalee, generously providing buses for transportation.The event was a day filled with laughter, learning and meaningful connections between the students and their adult mentors. It marks a return to the cherished tradition, which has been an integral part of the community for over three decades.
After four years of virtual-only sessions due to the pandemic, the much-anticipated Buddy Day tradition resumed today, bringing together second-graders from the Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program and adult mentors at Hideaway Beach on Marco Island.
This 32-year-old Marco Island tradition has been a highlight for both students and mentors, providing a day of fun, learning and mentorship. The annual Buddy Day, hosted on Hideaway Beach, offers a variety of activities including outdoor learning, arts and crafts and environmental education for the participating students.
Participants include second-graders from the Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program, Hideaway Beach residents and community volunteers who eagerly awaited the chance to make a positive impact on young minds.
This year’s Buddy Day is made possible through the collaboration of several organizations committed to fostering education and community engagement. Participating organizations include Big Cypress National Preserve, whose representatives will lead an exciting birding expedition, Kids2Camp, the YMCA of Collier County, Marco Island Fire Department, Marco Island Shell Club and Seminole Casino Immokalee, generously providing buses for transportation.
The event was a day filled with laughter, learning and meaningful connections between the students and their adult mentors. It marks a return to the cherished tradition, which has been an integral part of the community for over three decades.
