|
Why
is it that some of our youth breeze through the challenges of adolescence
and avoid negative risk-taking, while others struggle and engage
in a variety of health-compromising behaviors?
This
question has inspired hundreds of research studies resulting in
a variety of findings. As research results are compared, one common
theme that emerges is the importance of connection and strong bonds
with prosocial institutions such as family, schools, and religious
organizations. Simply put, kids who are connected to these important
resources engage in fewer negative risk-taking behaviors.
As
educational communities, our challenge is to discover healthy after-school
and vacation-time "connecting points" for each of our
students. Best practice and promising practice research points to
the importance of positive alternative activities such as sports,
music, dance, and theater as positive influences that matter and
reduce risk. Unfortunately, many times this traditional "menu"
of after-school activities is not attractive to "hard to connect"
students. Experts agree that roughly 50% of America's youth are
not involved in the current offering of extracurricular programs
at their respective school.
How
then do we successfully reach this population? A good starting point
might be to ask the students what activities they would find interesting
and would get involved in. As adults, we sometimes miss this most
important step! It is important to note that some of the most successful
Youth Development programs across the United States are those that
are student-driven! Simply put, kids are more likely to get involved
in activities that they have had some input into choosing!
|
 |
One
new and exciting student-initiated activity emerging at a growing
number of K-12 campuses is indoor wall climbing. Interestingly,
educators across the United States agree that this activity has
uniform appeal to traditionally unaffiliated youth of both sexes,
and offers unique opportunities for physical, mental, emotional,
and social development. Think about the possible applications in
your school setting. Possibilities include, but are not limited
to:
- Special
Education Settings
- After-school
clubs
- Alternative
to suspension settings
- Leadership
training opportunities
- Community
Education and Recreation Programming
- Rewards
and Incentives Programs
We
at Everlast Climbing Industries are proud to be a part of this exciting
"connecting point" and are committed to providing unparalleled
guidance and support to school and youth development staff in the
planning for and implementation of climbing programs. Please e-mail
us or call our toll-free number at 1-800-476-7366 to learn more
about our quality product lines and our willingness to support and
serve you.
|
