Classroom Initiatives

Programming designed for students includes lesson plans that address state and national learning standards across the curricula. There are currently three lesson plans in place, and more are being developed. Our Education Coordinator was invited to present at the first annual Western Southern Tier Council for the Social Studies Conference last fall. With the focus on “local history,” her topic was “Legacy of Laughter: the Cultural and Historical Legacy of Lcuille Ball."  Click below for lesson plans.
 

Lucille Ball Lesson Plan Lucy: A Brief Bio

Desi Arnaz Lesson Plan Desi: A Brief Bio

I Love Lucy Lesson Plan  I Love Lucy Narrative

Girl Scouts

Lucille Ball was a troop leader as a young girl in our area; we celebrate that part of her life with a very active collaboration with our area Girl Scout Council. We have designed badge work that incorporates her career and accomplishments, to be worked on here at the Center. We are also grateful for the work the Girl Scouts do for our Center as part of Hands on Jamestown, the downtown spring clean-up effort. We are currently working to create a National badge on behalf of Lucille Ball, and hoping to collaborate with the Boy Scouts in the future.

Hispanic Outreach

We are proud to be a member of the Jamestown Area Hispanic Outreach Committee. Three Kings' Day in January and Hispanic Heritage Month in the fall are opportunities to join in offering multi-cultural celebrations to our community. Hosting meetings in our Tropicana Room and offering our assistance at various area functions are great opportunities to celebrate the Cuban heritage of Desi Arnaz.

Humor Therapy

Research continues to support the value of humor in the areas of health care, pain control, dementia and general wellness. We currently are working with experts in Florida, Missouri, Ohio, California and New York to explore opportunities to engage in partnerships that will incorporate the amazing comic legacy of Lucy and Desi into health care.

Jamestown Community College

Beginning in the summer of 2009, our Center will offer "Komedy Kamp" for families at JCC. "Klasses" will include clowning, juggling, improv and more. Activities will be centered around Lucy's birthday celebration in August. Exploration is also underway to offer sessions in humor therapy and stress management to those pursuing careers in nursing and other health care fields.

Camp Sundown

XP is a condition in which individuals have an extreme negative reaction to light exposure. Camp Sundown in eastern New York State provides a family camp at no charge for those with this condition. It is a typical sleepover camp - except that all outdoor activities take place between sundown and sunup! We are honored to present Lucy-Desi programs for campers, and to support XPS through the ongoing sale of clown noses in our gift shops, all proceeds are donated to camp.

Jamestown Public Schools

The city school district has engaged our department to teach humor and comedy to ALP (Advanced Learning Program) students. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders will attend a series of twelve classes, conducted by a member of our staff who is a veteran educator. Cartooing, jokes, riddles and sitcoms are just some of the topics that will be covered - as well as a class that will be taught by a professional, award-winning clown!