Lerner S. - Kids who think outside the box (2005)(en)

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(NOLS) NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

Outdoor Adventure through Leadership Program

Bruce Palmer, Director of Admissions 284 Lincoln Street

Lander, WY 82520-2848 (800) 710-NOLS [e-mail] www.nols.edu

QUICK TAKE: This program is for the child who is serious about the outdoors. To be accepted, children must be in good physical shape. NOLS is dedicated to risk management, but there is risk involved. These adventures require that children test their limits and raise their personal bar of accomplishment.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 14 and older

FEES: Call for information.

BACKGROUND: The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), a not-for-profit educational program, was established in 1965, one year after the “Wilderness Act” became law. Paul Petzolt, a legendary mountaineer, world famous climber, and member of the Army’s 10th mountain division, started NOLS to train leaders to master the outdoors and to learn about, protect, and care for the wilderness. He wanted to provide people with the tools to travel through wild places and not only survive, but thrive. Today, NASA trains astronauts here.

DESCRIPTION: Classes are organized by age (14 and 15, 16, 17, 18–24), held in the summer, and last either 14 or 28 days. Onand off-trail hiking, introduction to rock climbing, peak ascents, and negotiating boulder fields with a 50-pound backpack along a 75-mile hiking route are all part of the Wyoming

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Adventure for 14 and 15 year olds, which takes a group of approximately eight children and two instructors to elevations of 7,000 to 13,000 feet. (The number of students and instructors varies depending on the program.) Kids will learn outdoor living skills, how to get along with other members of their group, and how to be a leader even when they are in the back of the pack.

OUR TAKE: This program can positively impact a child’s life in many quantifiable and nonquantifiable ways. Kids return home sure of their abilities and with a strong sense of self, but it is not appropriate for every child. Your child must be physically and emotionally prepared for the program and must be motivated. Students come from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience. The desire to learn and participate is the most important factor for success on a NOLS course.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: This is an amazing course—it builds character, is life changing, and offers incredible adventure— and NOLS fastidiously practices risk management, but there are risks. Parents, do your homework, do your research, and know your child. This is a serious decision and must be a joint one between parent and child.

OCEAN CLASSROOM Ocean camp

Bert Rogers, Executive Director Ocean Classroom Foundation PO Box 446

Cornwall, NY 12518 [phone]

[e-mail]

www.oceanclassroom.org

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QUICKTAKE: This award-winning program takes place on water and is so full of information that it is the equivalent of a high school semester. Young adults take the reins in learning how to operate a boat, while keeping up with the studies they would be taking at their high schools. It’s character building, challenging, demanding, and exciting. The result is an experience that enables children to realize their abilities and to develop a sense of self-confidence that will stay with them throughout life. What makes this program even more exciting are the “awesome” locations one can choose to explore. This is an amazing experience for any student with real dreams of maritime pursuits or a student with a sense of adventure who enjoys a significant challenge.

SPONSORSHIP/OWNERSHIP/ACCREDITATION: Sponsored by:

Ocean Classroom Foundation. Accredited by: Proctor Academy of Andover, NH.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 15–18 (there are other programs for 13–16 year olds and college undergraduates)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Although the main contact is in New York, the locations range from the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic to Haiti, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere.

DATES: 3 sessions, each lasting between 63 and 120 days, are offered in every month but December.

FEES: The cost is a hefty, $6,950–$12,750. Financial aid is available.

BACKGROUND: This not-for-profit foundation began the program in 1994 to teach students about the sea and navigation. It provides a challenging experience and a vigorous academic program in maritime studies.

DESCRIPTION: The Ocean Classroom is the equivalent of a high school semester. It offers the same subjects, but they are

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uniquely designed to revolve around the sea. For example, marine science, marine history, marine applied mathematics, and so on. Focus is on all aspects of the sea, including the exploration of ocean ecosystems in some of the most beautiful places on earth. The really remarkable aspect of this camp is that students get the chance to operate the boats, while achieving a level of responsibility and maturity well beyond their years. The selection process is rigid; an interview is required. There is an adjustment involved; the optimal candidate must be able to manage a day filled with the challenges of being at sea at the same time as he or she keeps up academically. The program is equally divided between male/female participation and Bert Rogers, the executive director, says both do equally well in this program.

OUR TAKE: This is an amazing, unparalleled course of study that is packed with activity and the challenge/responsibility of operating a boat. When asked about the social side of the program and if the kids get along, we were told that the demands of the program and the ocean were a great leveler and led to camaraderie. The kids learn to operate as a group and rely on each other, which helps build respect and friendship. The Ocean Classroom takes place during the school year, and students receive high school credit (some programs give college credit). Not only are the students involved in the work, they are also learning the process while getting hands-on experience. The exotic locations allow students to closely observe habitats that can’t be seen in the United States. This is an excellent program for kids interested in the sea, but our feeling is that it is a life-changing program for any student who can meet this kind of challenge.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: This is one that is awe inspiring, and we recommend it wholeheartedly for the kid who has the energy, drive, interest, commitment, and responsibility to meet

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this challenge. The only drawback is: how does a child return to school after participating in it? Two to three months at sea can either be a very short time or very long time depending on the child. This is why the Ocean Classroom’s selection process is so discerning. For the kids who participate, these months will pass quickly but always be remembered.

OUTWARD BOUND

Adventure, Nature, and Leadership Camp

John Underhill, Director of Admissions 100 Mystery Point Road

Garrison, NY 10524 [phone]

[e-mail]

www.outwardbound.org

QUICK TAKE: This program was created for those who appreciate the outdoors and wish to share their experiences with like-minded individuals. Outward Bound is primarily an athletic program in the United States and around the world with a philosophy that emphasizes personal growth through experience and challenges in the wilderness, urban settings, boardrooms, and classrooms. It offers children a chance to not only gain knowledge of various outdoor skills, but also to gain knowledge of themselves.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 12 and older

FEES: C Courses run year-round and range from 7 to 85 days. International courses are also offered in at least 28 foreign countries.

BACKGROUND: Outward Bound was established during World War II through the combined efforts of Sir Lawrence Holt, a British shipping tycoon, and Kurt Hahn, a progressive German

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educator, to instruct young sailors in sea survival skills. In the 1950s, Josh Miner, an American who taught under Hahn at the Gordonstoun School in Scotland, was inspired by Hahn’s emphasis on team building and founded the Outward Bound movement in the United States. Expeditionary learning, the philosophy upon which Outward Bound is based, is a model for school reform and is utilized in more than 1,000 schools and universities in the United States. It is a whole-school reform model for K–12 schools that uses active learning to help students develop character as well as achieve academic success.

DESCRIPTION: Mountaineering, snowboarding, rock climbing, white water rafting, desert backpacking, dog-sledding— certainly not the list of activities at your average sleep-away camp—are among the programs offered. The program focuses on intensive activities that help students develop a strong sense of self within a team setting. Through detail-oriented activities, such as sailing, the program ensures character development as a child strives to meet the ever-increasing demands of each activity and, under the supervision of an experienced instructor, begins to recognize his/her self-imposed limits and then concentrates on overcoming them. Outward Bound believes that character development is contingent upon a sense of social and environmental responsibility and therefore it includes volunteer work (e.g., shoreline clean-up, trail maintenance, and community assistance) as a means of instilling the values of stewardship.

OUR TAKE: Outward Bound truly recognizes the full value of physical activity and does not merely practice it for its own sake. I am confident that the program “practices what it preaches.” Outward Bound’s philosophy is increasingly employed in academic settings, with a high success rate (as assessed independently by researchers of alternative educational methods).

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OUR RECOMMENDATION: When considering such an intensely physical program as Outward Bound, safety must be the primary concern. While participation implies a certain amount of risk, the instructors (who are either certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid, as Wilderness First Responders, or as Emergency Medical Technicians) undergo regular safety training. Independent experts of national safety review teams inspect each program and course area for possible hazards. According to the insurer of Outward Bound, its rate of injury and illness is “lower than that of many other industries.” This is not the program for every child; children who participate must truly desire it.

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OBSERVER

Writer

ome children are born leaders; others are born observers. SThe born observers are the children who do more watching than talking. They observe people, events, and the world, and draw conclusions.

Great writers are usually astute observers. Writing provides children who think outside the box with an outlet for ideas, a place to record their observations, and a way to express their feelings.

Duke University, through its TIPS (Talent Identification Program) program, offers a “Young Writer’s Program,” which gives students an opportunity to explore their creative genius and encourages the advancement of their skills through programs in playwriting, journalism, and the writing of reviews.

The Alfred University Summer Institute in Writing and the Choate Rosemary Hall Young Writers Workshop are also programs in which kids can perfect their writing through workshops and seminars.

For your child who is the observer, a writing program may be just the thing, but remember that strong and effective writing skills are important to just about every profession. Most importantly, writing illustrates the observations of your child in a concrete way. When observations are put on paper, an idea is brought to life.

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ALFRED UNIVERSITY SUMMER INSTITUTE IN WRITING

Writing camp

Melody McLay, Director Office of Summer Programs 1 Saxon Drive

Alfred, NY 14802-1205 [phone] [e-mail] www.alfred.edu/summer

QUICK TAKE: An intensive program that helps young adults improve and develop writing skills. Located in the beautiful town of Alfred in upstate New York, is a great opportunity for your student to begin searching for college. Students experience the college environment and dorm life first hand.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 15–17

FEES: Application fee, $75 (deadline, May 24); boarding fee, $395–$425.

DATES: One session of 5 days in June or July

BACKGROUND: In 2000, the university decided to expand its offerings by holding summer camps for young adults who will soon be prospective college students.

DESCRIPTION: The program at Alfred University gives young adults the opportunity to improve their writing through lectures and workshops. The program also delves into reading and text analysis. A strong program in creative writing is also offered. The goal is to create well-written work suitable for high school, and even college, courses. Your teenager will have time for recreational activities and a chance to meet fellow students. This writing program is but one of the many

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programs offered at Alfred University. It also provide camps in astronomy, art and design, and music. There are job opportunities for writers aged nineteen and older.

OUR TAKE: Alfred University is located in a safe, picturesque area, but it is a bit far from the airport (Rochester International Airport is 65 miles away). Transportation can be provided (although there is a charge) by the university. Your child will be challenged in the art of writing and in the revision of original work. This program would be suitable for great writers, or those who want to become a more mature writer.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: This is a serious program. RAs (resident advisers) are with the kids for the week and work to make it a social as well as a learning experience. Because writing is a skill needed in today’s job market, every student will benefit from the opportunity to hone his or her skills.

CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP

English and journalism program

Mariann Arnold, Asst. Director

Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Programs Christian Street

Wallingford, CT 06492 [phone] [e-mail] www.choate.edu/summer

QUICK TAKE: A writing camp for students in middle and upper school, Choate Rosemary Hall is dedicated to improving the writing skills of students, while providing an opportunity to make new friends. There is equal time for work and play, but every day is full of fun activities.