Algonquin Studios was the proud host of a "Day at the Office" for children from the Buffalo Soccer Club's u12 boy's and girl's travel teams on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Twenty-four children, ages 10-12, converged on Algonquin Studios' Buffalo offices for a day of fun and learning that included arts & crafts projects, classroom-setting soccer instruction, and graphic design demonstrations.

Buffalo Soccer Club Program Director, Anna-Lesa Calvert, and Travel Team Head Coach, Megan Kiernan, worked closely with Algonquin Studios staff members to plan and execute a full day's worth of activities for the players. After a healthy breakfast, the athletes had a chance to tour Algonquin's offices, design their own soccer logos with the help of Algonquin's in-house graphic designer, create player profile pages for the Buffalo Soccer Club web site, and participate in a question and answer period with Algonquin Studios' CEO, Stephen M. Kiernan.

Afternoon activities included a viewing of a 2010 FIFA World Cup match between Japan and Paraguay with classroom instruction presented by Ms. Calvert, who covered topics including penalty kicks and tie-breaking methods. The athletes then completed multiple arts & crafts projects that included creating collages for countries represented by teams playing in the World Cup and posters of the logos for Buffalo Soccer Club and Algonquin Sports for Kids, the umbrella organization under which Buffalo Soccer Club operates.

"We were so pleased that Algonquin Studios was willing to open their doors to the young players from Buffalo Soccer Club. The players were able to tour the office, meet and interview the CEO, and learn about graphic design and web development and over the course of the day, the children met numerous local professionals and experienced, in tangible ways, potential career paths that could be available to them in the future," said Buffalo Soccer Club Program Director, Anna-Lesa Calvert. "It is our hope that, stemming from the day's activities, the athletes of Buffalo Soccer Club will develop lasting relationships with Algonquin Studios and will continue to explore educational and after school opportunities that will prepare them for careers in similar industries. In fact, most of the kids said they really want to work at Algonquin when they grow up!"

About Buffalo Soccer Club - Buffalo Soccer Club was created to offer the children of the city of Buffalo a robust and sustainable opportunity in soccer. From the game it is the organization's hope that the children develop good physical health, positive levels of self esteem, confidence, and core ethical principles in a safe, fun environment. Buffalo Soccer Club offers programming for young boys and girls ranging from 4 to 14 years of age.

About Algonquin Sports for Kids - Algonquin Sports for Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a dedicated approach to the development of youth sports programs in the City of Buffalo. The organization is in the midst of an exciting expansion effort and is thrilled to be on the verge of offering football, basketball, and wrestling clubs, in addition to Buffalo Soccer Club, to interested children in city of Buffalo. The addition of these clubs is expected to raise overall program participation numbers to close to 2,000 children.