Grubbin' helps kids with A.D.D.

A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) kids have trouble focusing for longer than 3 to 5 minutes. Typically A.D.D. kids also have above average intelligence which makes for a real challenge for the teachers and caretakers of these kids. Jack McDermitt of Akron, Ohio has found something that does indeed hold the kids attention, Grubbin' for gold and gemstones! Jack, who is father to 2 boys with A.D.D. knows all too well the challenges these kids face. He is also Assistant Scout Master of the Boy Scouts Great Trail Council and has been since 1990. Jack is a special friend to us and to the many kids he helps every year. In his hometown of Akron, there is a school called Summitt Academy which is for special kids with A.D. D. Jack volunteers his services with the kids and works closely with teacher and friend "Dakota Bob" (Bob Kunst) at the academy. This summer Jack accompanied the teacher and the kids at their Summer Camp. With him he took bags of our gold and gem ore. Jack tells us these kids usually have an attention span of only 3 to 5 minutes. As he was showing the kids how to pan for gold and screen for gems Jack and Dakota Bob were amazed to see the kids focus on the tasks at hand for 20 minutes! "It captivated their attention" as they learned the properties of specific gravity and the names and characteristics of the gemstones! These kids are normally bored with conventional teaching methods so it's a challenge to find special educational events to hold their focus. Summitt Academy is a privately owned and operated school that is funded by the state. Jack has since applied to the school for a teaching position and is waiting for funding. Until then, these kids have a very special friend in Jack.