Tag Archives: Gwen Papania

5 Chautauqua Giants: A way to say ‘I love you’

These Chautauqua speakers are giants, although they are not — yet — represented by Royce Carlton. The Oliver Archives Heritage Lecture Series will present “Five More Giants of Chautauqua” today at 3:30 p.m. in the Hall of Christ.

These speakers are Chautauquans giving tribute to Chautauquans who are greater than they are: GIANTS!

This Archives tribute is in its sixth year, an opportunity for Chautauquans to celebrate and respect ancestors — the Institution’s and their own.

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Carnegie Science Center brings events to Chautauqua all Week Nine

As the season winds down and staffers from Children’s Club and Boys’ and Girls’ Club return to college, the youth programs look for ways to continue providing programming for young Chautauquans.

The Carnegie Science Center has been coming to Chautauqua late in the season for more than a decade to provide science-related programming and events for Children’s School and Club.

The first event, “Geocaching on the Grounds,” will equip 15 teams with GPS units and pit them against one another in a treasure hunt.

There will be two identical sessions Saturday. The first session is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the second is from 2–4 p.m. Teams will be able to sign up on Bestor Plaza on a first-come basis.

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Sherra Babcock, director of the Department of Education, leads a porch discussion Thursday morning. Babcock spoke with Chautauquans about the importance of creating family memories. Photo by Lauren Rock.

Babcock explains themed programs for all ages at Porch Discussion

Sherra Babcock, director of the Department of Education and Youth Services, wants to give kids something to go home and talk about.

Chautauqua Institution should provide the young community on the grounds with opportunities that will challenge them, she said, but also the opportunities that make them want to visit.

“One objective that we have had is to offer some things — when it makes sense — that will allow kids at whatever age to go home to the dinner table and have something to say about the theme of the week,” Babcock said.

Babcock discussed the importance of creating family memories at Thursday morning’s Trustees Porch Discussion.

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Jack Voelker retired in April as director of the Department of Recreation. He will remain in his post as Chautauqua Golf Club general manager. Eric Shea | Staff Photographer

Voelker, a Chautauqua giant, scales back duties in semi-retirement

Anyone who has ever enjoyed the Young Readers program, a show from the Family Entertainment Series or sailing lessons on Chautauqua Lake has felt Jack Voelker’s impact on the Institution.

Voelker led the Department of Recreation for almost 25 years under different titles as the position evolved. His title for the majority of his career at Chautauqua was director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Services.

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Children’s School introduces youth to Chautauqua experience

For children who visit Chautauqua, Children’s School may be the beginning of a lifelong love for the Institution, according to Jack Voelker, director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Services.

“It really is the entry-level experience of the life of the community, because this is how you start getting to be a part of the Chautauqua experience,” Voelker said.

The program, which serves upward of 150 children per week, runs from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday for children ages 3 to 5.

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