Camp Teaches At-Risk Youth Many Essential Life Skills

Cindy Sheppard
Caring matters
Published Thursday June 12th, 2008
Appeared on page B10

Everyone loves an adventure. And most people enjoy being outside. When you put the two together, an adventure outdoors sounds pretty exciting. To the participants who take part in the Adventure Based Learning programs offered by Partners for Youth, excitement and learning are what it's all about.

Partners for Youth Inc. was founded in 1994 by Senator Jim Ross. He wanted to get involved and help at-risk youth using a "non-traditional" method of learning and self-discovery. Thus was born the adventure-based approach to self-discovery.

In the first year of operation, the program operated in two middle schools and with one government department. Today, there are 38 middle schools in the province involved and three government departments. This can attest to the success of the program.

The whole concept of adventure-based programming is unique in its "teaching" methods - it encourages youth to get involved, active and connected to their communities through activities.
The youth referred to this program come from school and government departments, and range in age from 8 to 18. These participants have the opportunity for long-term participation and many will continue on to become camp counsellors. One former participant, Candace Thompson, went from being a school bully to graduating from university with a social work degree.

"In middle school, I was angry and a bully "plain and simple," she said. "Going from foster home to foster home at such an early age affected my ability to trust people - lashing out was the only way I knew how to express my feelings. Picking on people was my outlet and I was really good at it.” "Through my experience with Partners For Youth Inc., I learned how to listen and how to express myself in a positive way and, best of all, I learned how to trust. I can honestly say that I was given the chance and the tools to change my life."

What exactly is adventure-based programming? It is a method of hands-on teaching activities that allow youth to explore themselves through "creating adventure and empowering youth." The program is facilitated in the schools by teacher volunteers.

Each summer, the youth who have participated in school are invited to attend one of the summer camps. There are currently 14 camps, held at North Lake Wilderness Camp, for youth ages nine to 17. Camps range from two nights to a week in the wilderness and include such activities as canoeing, rope climbing, swimming and other age-appropriate outdoor activities. All camps are free of charge to participants. The Fredericton Community Foundation, among other sponsors, supports the campers through grants and funding.

Groups are small and designed to help youth experience success in a non-threatening environment. The youngest campers experience two nights and three days in the wilderness exploring both nature and themselves - communicating, sharing and experiencing positive learning opportunities. Middle school campers have four nights and five days, and the oldest campers have a seven night-eight day opportunity to grow and develop. This camp involves a one-day orientation followed by a five night out-trip.

The campers leave the site with everything they will require for five nights camping out. During this time they will learn teamwork, communication and trust, and build relationships.
Most come back from camp feeling positive, empowered and capable of much more than they thought possible.

Anyone who has spent even one night camping in nature knows how relaxing it can be. This is truly a unique program that allows youth to learn through doing and, "at the dawn of each new day, consider the possibilities."

Cindy Sheppard is the executive director of the Fredericton Community Foundation. Her column profiling non-profit agencies appears every second Thursday. Please send comments to letters@dailygleaner.com.