Camp Extreme Boys
Camp Extreme for Boys is an outdoor summer adventure program that travels throughout the Canadian Rockies. The program includes a multitude of invigorating activities such as camping, hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking and horseback riding. During the week, Camp Extreme Boys camp out in the national parks of Banff and Jasper. Shabbos is hosted by the community of Edmonton.
It is generally accepted that outdoor adventure programs are effective methods for helping youth realize their potential and turn their lives around. The wilderness setting removes them from negative influences and provides them with an atmosphere that is free from distraction. In such a setting, young men and women are free to explore their leadership and survival skills and discover themselves in a whole new way. The rigors of outdoor living are integral to our program. Comparable to the thrill of reaching the pinnacle of a mountain, at the end of a trip our teens experience the exhilaration that comes with hard-won effort.
It is generally accepted that outdoor adventure programs are effective methods for helping youth realize their potential and turn their lives around. The wilderness setting removes them from negative influences and provides them with an atmosphere that is free from distraction. In such a setting, young men and women are free to explore their leadership and survival skills and discover themselves in a whole new way. The rigors of outdoor living are integral to our program. Comparable to the thrill of reaching the pinnacle of a mountain, at the end of a trip our teens experience the exhilaration that comes with hard-won effort.
Focus
The focus of CAMP EXTREME FOR BOYS and CAMP EXTREME FOR GIRLS is to help at-risk teens overcome destructive patterns, gain self-confidence and master survival skills by completing a rigorous program that includes rock climbing, rope courses, white water rafting, building fires, group discussions, and other challenging activities.
Structure
To ensure a comfortable, intimate atmosphere and high staff to participant ratio, a maximum of 18 participants are registered in each program. Since the issues young men and women grapple with can differ or involve the opposite sex, we have achieved the best success when the two groups are separated. Not only does this division enable the young women and men to express themselves more freely during group discussions, but the separation also fosters the development of positive peer relationships.
Program Elements
Counseling and Discussion Groups: After a busy, activity filled day, discussion sessions and learning groups are held to share lessons learned and what has transpired in the immediate past.
These informal sessions help to facilitate open communication and conversation among the participants and counselors and create an interest in issues and topics that are instrumental to redirect the paths of the participants. Session materials range from formal textbooks to informal materials that are picked up and discussed along the way.
Session Topics
These informal sessions help to facilitate open communication and conversation among the participants and counselors and create an interest in issues and topics that are instrumental to redirect the paths of the participants. Session materials range from formal textbooks to informal materials that are picked up and discussed along the way.
Session Topics
- Anger management
- Coping with failure
- Creating opportunities
- Community issues
- Parent child communication
Staff
All PROJECT EXTREME staff have outstanding credentials and are rigorously screened. They come from the fields of social work and psychology and are qualified to lead formal and informal sessions. In addition, the high staff-to-participant ratio ensures a level of attention and safety, which allows each child to succeed both as an individual and as a member of a working team. Each program is accompanied by the Director and a licensed mental health professional.
PROJECT EXTREME provides an ongoing intensive training schedule for its staff. Several times during the year and additionally for one full week before each trip, counselors are required to attend in-depth seminars in how to respond to and detect the myriad of issues that can arise during the experience.
Training includes but is not limited to the following topics
PROJECT EXTREME provides an ongoing intensive training schedule for its staff. Several times during the year and additionally for one full week before each trip, counselors are required to attend in-depth seminars in how to respond to and detect the myriad of issues that can arise during the experience.
Training includes but is not limited to the following topics
- Identification of behavioral or personal issues
- Depression
- Alienation
- Anger
- Family issues
- Trip Plans and Schedule
- Appropriate discussion topics
- Relating in a non-judgmental, supportive way to teens
- Project rules and regulations
- Record keeping and assessment of the Projecting experience
- Safety and security
Ground Rules
The basic PROJECT EXTREME rules are no drugs, alcohol, or promiscuity. For safety reasons, a staff member must always accompany participants. Violent behavior is not tolerated and general good manners must be extended to participants, counselors and to everyone that we come into contact with.
Active participation in all PROJECT EXTREME activities both sports and counseling, is purely voluntary. PROJECT EXTREME does not force/coerce any type of activity, participation, or religious observance. Although participants do not need to participate, attendance at events or activities is mandatory. Incentives are offered to encourage active participation.
Active participation in all PROJECT EXTREME activities both sports and counseling, is purely voluntary. PROJECT EXTREME does not force/coerce any type of activity, participation, or religious observance. Although participants do not need to participate, attendance at events or activities is mandatory. Incentives are offered to encourage active participation.
Medical Care
Prior to each trip, all hospitals and clinics along the route are identified and a list is disseminated to the staff. Doctors and nurses in the communities we are visiting or passing through are contacted and a network has been established to provide healthcare 24 hours a day if necessary.
Follow-Up And Support
PROJECT EXTREME doesn’t end with the conclusion of a particular program– follow-up is a major part of the service that we offer. We evaluate the overall life situation of our students and make suggestions as to the appropriate course of action.
