Project Extreme’s 4 Core Principals
1. STRENGTHS-BASED PERSPECTIVE
A strengths-based perspective is essential in working and connecting with teens. Research has supported the idea that recognizing a teen’s strength contributes to building self-esteem resulting in positive thoughts regarding his or her own feelings of self worth. It is through positive reinforcement, such as congratulating a teen after completing a difficult outdoor task on a Camp Extreme trip or recognizing acts of kindness done to others, that lays the building blocks to creating a trusting relationship with the teen. A strengths-based perspective coupled with other supportive measures provides the solid foundation of Project Extreme’s successful model.
A strengths-based perspective is essential in working and connecting with teens. Research has supported the idea that recognizing a teen’s strength contributes to building self-esteem resulting in positive thoughts regarding his or her own feelings of self worth. It is through positive reinforcement, such as congratulating a teen after completing a difficult outdoor task on a Camp Extreme trip or recognizing acts of kindness done to others, that lays the building blocks to creating a trusting relationship with the teen. A strengths-based perspective coupled with other supportive measures provides the solid foundation of Project Extreme’s successful model.
2. SKILLS BUILDING
The second core principal, skills building, contributes greatly to the teens’ abilities to learn how to cope, communicate, and function in their everyday life with peers and family by integrating life learnable lessons, enhancing the teens’ basic communication skills. This is including fostering appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication styles within a framework of fun activities. During processing sessions that occur on a daily basis during the summer programs, the teens slowly begin to integrate what they are being taught in this safe environment that will generalize to their everyday lives.
The second core principal, skills building, contributes greatly to the teens’ abilities to learn how to cope, communicate, and function in their everyday life with peers and family by integrating life learnable lessons, enhancing the teens’ basic communication skills. This is including fostering appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication styles within a framework of fun activities. During processing sessions that occur on a daily basis during the summer programs, the teens slowly begin to integrate what they are being taught in this safe environment that will generalize to their everyday lives.
3. INDIVIDUALIZED CARE
The third, a one on one participant/counselor ratio, is essential to the success of our program. On a daily basis, teens may experience anxieties, pressures, and feelings of loneliness. Having the opportunity to reach out to that one person- their counselor, with whom the teen has formed a close and trusting relationship- can be the single tool in preventing the teen from making inappropriate and at times risky decisions.
The third, a one on one participant/counselor ratio, is essential to the success of our program. On a daily basis, teens may experience anxieties, pressures, and feelings of loneliness. Having the opportunity to reach out to that one person- their counselor, with whom the teen has formed a close and trusting relationship- can be the single tool in preventing the teen from making inappropriate and at times risky decisions.
4. LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP
The fourth core principal constitutes real, meaningful, and long term follow up and is reflected by the requirement that counselors sign a social contract to maintain contact with the teen throughout adolescence and into adulthood. This long-term commitment sends a loud and clear message to the teens and their families that Project Extreme is not a short term band-aid, but rather a longer term lifetime support.
The fourth core principal constitutes real, meaningful, and long term follow up and is reflected by the requirement that counselors sign a social contract to maintain contact with the teen throughout adolescence and into adulthood. This long-term commitment sends a loud and clear message to the teens and their families that Project Extreme is not a short term band-aid, but rather a longer term lifetime support.
Project Extreme's Impact
Quantitative Measurements of Project Extreme’s Impact
In a follow-up study of all teens who have completed the PROJECT EXTREME PROGRAM, 80% have been successfully placed in schools and educational facilities and have made positive adjustments in school and with their families.
Our staff continues to have contact with the participants throughout the year to reinforce the participants’ connection to the staff. The staff gathers information about their participants and assesses their progress by measuring objective behaviors, such as the following:
In a follow-up study of all teens who have completed the PROJECT EXTREME PROGRAM, 80% have been successfully placed in schools and educational facilities and have made positive adjustments in school and with their families.
Our staff continues to have contact with the participants throughout the year to reinforce the participants’ connection to the staff. The staff gathers information about their participants and assesses their progress by measuring objective behaviors, such as the following:
- Attendance in school or studies programs
- Participation in social groups
- Participation in community activities
- Academic performance
- Connection to family
- Non-involvement in destructive behaviors
Project Extreme programs are open to all teens in need, irrespective of their affiliation.