Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

The mission of Extras for Creative Learning (E.x.C.L.) is to help children awaken their creative potential in education and play through the use of reusable, recycled, and surplus materials in school and out of school. E.x.C.L. is an excellent resource for educators, program providers, and artists who need fun open ended materials or basic supplies for their students.

Description:
E.x.C.L. collects clean usable materials from business and industry in New England for use in classrooms, daycares, and out-of-school time programs. E.x.C.L. distributes an average of 2,300 pounds of materials on a weekly basis from its center in Dorchester. We also offer workshops on how to use the recycled materials in engaging and creative ways.

History:
Walter Drew the founder of E.x.C.L. was in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone where he observed children creating things out of natural items. This experience of ‘creation out of nothing’ served as his source of inspiration upon his return to the United States when he sought to address two problems with one creative solution: the abundance of waste materials that are regularly and routinely disposed and the lack of raw materials for arts education opportunities. Working with the Worcester Public Schools, he established the WPS Recycles Center collecting materials that would otherwise be disposed of, and made them available to teachers for creative classroom endeavors. This happened in the early 70s. He then came to the Boston Public Schools, where he received a small grant to start the Institute for Self Active Education (original name of E.x.C.L.). He remained with this center until the early 1990’s, when he moved out of state. E.x.C.L. has had many locations within the Boston Public Schools, we are currently located in the basement of the Boston Latin Academy.

Contact person: Jodi Schmidt, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (617) 635-8284

Address:

443 Warren St. Dorchester, MA 02121 (See a map)

Directions:

Please call us so that we can provide accurate directions from your location.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Roxbury Crossing,   Walk distance (in minutes): 20   Nearest Bus Stop: Number 28 bus, stop at the corner of Warren and Townsend St. or Quincy st. , 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com