The Box City program is a teaching tool that totally engages the students in the art and science of community planning. The program was first conducted with Summer Waters, Angela and Allara in 2004, working with Bay Haven and North Side Elementary 5th graders. In the course of a session, the students actually plan and build a city with cardboard boxes on empty "land" on the classroom floor. The floor is laid out to show a variety of features such as water bodies, streets, and trees.

First, students develop a zoning map for developing the land. They make provisions for residential, commercial, industrial and civic uses. They have to consider walk ability, transportation woes and compatibility of uses.

They then use boxes they have previously decorated as houses, stores, factories, hospitals, schools, etc., and place them on the ground within the constrictions of the zoning map. When the inevitable conflicts arise between zoning and actual compatibility and efficiency in building on the ground, they have to seek a zoning change from their own city commission.

The $100 donations from McNeil Carroll Engineering, Panhandle Engineering and Charlie Yautz will be used to cover the boxes and other expendable materials needed for running this first session in the program. The planners had hoped to run two sessions this summer to iron out any kinks, then run more sessions in the fall at Bay County schools. However, grants for sessions have not yet been obtained and private funding is being sought in the interim.

Donations for the program can be made to BEST,Inc. at 801 Jenks Ave. Ste G, Panama City, Fl. 32401, or by calling Alice Guay at Friends of St. Andrew Bay 215-5590.