So, one of the programs I, now, run at my agency is one involving teenagers. It's a peer-listening program where kids in High Schools are identified who are good listeners. Because studies have shown kids will go to other kids with personal issues before they go to teacher or even their parents. The program is in over a dozen schools in my State. Every year we have a training for these peer listeners that is an overnight thing at a camp out in the boonies of Maine. My Program Manager, insisted, that it would be a good idea if I stayed overnight too. You know, just in case there are any "incidents" with the teenagers and so the Agency has a representative there at all times.
So, starting in October I'll be staying there once a week for 5 weeks, with a bunch of wound-up teenagers away from home. It's going to be interesting. Although, this may present some opportunities for somehow sneaking in some BIP-ish philosophy to the kiddos. I just have to figure out a crafty way to do so.
I'm sorry to hear this.
Squid- hates teenagers.
Apparently, the Retreat Facilitators routinely bring instruments along and they have jam sessions with the students who bring instruments, so it won't be all bad I suppose. I'll be sure to bring along the Nose Flute. :D
That's a pretty cool.
Provide BIP with caution thou, I've known younguns to dissect ANYTHING a philosophy that piques their interest.
Out of curiosity, what's their mehtod for identifying good listeners?
They do conduct a survey in the schools where the kids nominate them. It's pretty cool, because it isn't one of those elitist kind of clubs. They get a good cross section of kids from different cliques. You've got your athletes, your preps, goth/emos, geeks, gum chewers, etc.
Bathroom blood drinkers?
(I had to)
Good. The incarnation at my own school was an elitist, social climber group.
They tried to test me once, (Obvious projective "make up a story", type). I had great fun giving them useless answers.
You're a good man, RWHN.
I don't actually facilitate the trainings. I'm the co-ordinator for the program and we hire and contract with people to do the actual training curriculum. It's not something I am trained in personally, though, if push came to shove I could probably do it. Actually, the guy who used to run this program is one of the facilitators. He got laid off a couple of months ago but we still decided to contract with him to do this thing. It's a little awkward to be in meetings with him. The new guy telling the old guy what's what and how things are going to operate.
It should be interesting. My first retreat is next Tuesday/Wednesday. Hopefully I survive.
Good luck with that RWHN. I get a feeling you're about to enter one of those cute made-for-nickelodeon dramas, where the unpopular kid learns that popularity ain't what it's cracked up to be, and the popular kid learns that he can sleep with ANYONE.
All honestly, it probably won't be that bad, considering the students that you're working with are going in for a program meant to help other kids.
I'm waiting back to hear from New Urban Arts myself, when I met with those kids last week they were a super bunch.
...Just be lucky they aren't middle schoolers. :|
Quote from: Cramulus on September 29, 2008, 03:00:29 PM
Good luck with that RWHN. I get a feeling you're about to enter one of those cute made-for-nickelodeon dramas, where the unpopular kid learns that popularity ain't what it's cracked up to be, and the popular kid learns that he can sleep with ANYONE.
Gah! I'm gonna be trapped in a CBS Afterschool Special!!! :x
Bump, because I gotta start doing this shit tomorrow. So after today I'll be scarce for a couple of days unless by some chance I find a wireless signal in the wastes of rural Midcoast Maine.
Wow, RWHN, that actually sounds like a really great concept, and I think it's awesome that you're doing this. The vague impression I get from you via internets is that I think you'll be really good at this. You're young enough that you won't seem completely out of touch, but old enough that they'll give you at least a teeny bit of respect. If they're doing it, they in theory at least sort of want to be there, so it shouldn't be that huge of a headache of enforcing rules and whatnot. I think it'll be a GREAT opportunity to plant some ideas, actually. I'd bet there'll be some kids in the group that'll be very receptive.
Good luck!
It's gonna be really, really cold. And cold.
And did I mention it'll be chilly?
I think it sounds kind of.. well, fun isn't necessarily the right word, but something like it. Then again, I suffer from occasional bouts of thinking that influencing kids to be better people can be enjoyable. Lail!
Thread title made me think of the Ataris.
GONNA HAVE A TEENAGE RIOT! THEY'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A KID TODAY!
\
(http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news/images/a/Ataris/sq-ataris-mtv-exclusive-jc.jpg)
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on October 20, 2008, 09:05:23 PM
It's gonna be really, really cold. And cold.
And did I mention it'll be chilly?
Down, wool, polarfleece.
Cotton is ineffective.
Bring a ground pad.
Edit: I can't spell.
Hit up a military surplus store or something and grab hand warmers.
They're awesome to put in a sleeping bag.
Many very serviceable bit of camping and insulating gear can be grabbed from a good surplus store.
Quote from: Eve on October 21, 2008, 01:30:57 AM
I think it sounds kind of.. well, fun isn't necessarily the right word, but something like it. Then again, I suffer from occasional bouts of thinking that influencing kids to be better people can be enjoyable. Lail!
Thread title made me think of the Ataris.
GONNA HAVE A TEENAGE RIOT! THEY'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A KID TODAY!
\
(http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news/images/a/Ataris/sq-ataris-mtv-exclusive-jc.jpg)
Does it show my age that the first thing I thought of was Sonic Youth?
Yes. Yes, it does.
:gheyforum:
It's okay, Gramps, we won't hold it against you. :lulz:
I thought of Sonic Youth second! ..but I think that's just further proving your point.
Well, I did have the Sonic Youth song in mind when I titled the thread.
Anyhoo, I'm back. I survived. Didn't get much sleep. I might've logged 4 hours if I was lucky.
I got to chat with some of the kiddos and it was definitely a very interesting time. It was also pretty heavy. We have this one part of the program called "Brave Questions". We pose open-ended questions to the kids, and give them a chance to share a story or something personal in relationship to that question. For example one question was about Abuse. There was some pretty heavy stories from these kids about what they and other family members have gone through at the hands of a once trusted adult. Yet, there they were ready to be trained to help other kids who are going through those same struggles. It was pretty encouraging I have to say.
That's good, RWHN. Those sometimes have a chance to go really bad when you're dealing with such personal and deep shit like that. Sounds like a good episode.
Quote from: Jenne on October 22, 2008, 07:09:53 PM
That's good, RWHN. Those sometimes have a chance to go really bad when you're dealing with such personal and deep shit like that. Sounds like a good episode.
Each group from each school as adult facilitators. Many times, they come from the guidance offices, some are teachers, but most of the time they are adults who have really good relationships with the kids and who are easy for kids to talk to. So, there were times kids had to leave because it was too heavy, but they had plenty of support there. It's amazing that those kids weren't deep into drugs or other destructive behaviors, because quite a few of them have been around some real putrid examples of humanity that have treated them pretty badly.
Well, it's finally over.
The last retreat ended yesterday. All told we trained about 200 teenagers.
[cue sappy violin music]
It was quite a rewarding experience and after going through it I have a slightly brighter outlook on the future. For the most part, the kids we trained seemed to be pretty intune with themselves. And that's a big part of our training, is helping the kids to really understand themselves, and to be able to listen to themselves so that they can be better listeners and better supports for the kids who will come to them for help. I'm hopeful that some day I can make this program Model-status so we can spread it to other parts of the country.
But I'm glad to be able to return to my "normal" schedule. I think it was a little confusing to LWHN for me to be gone a couple days a week. Time to start planning for next year. :lol:
cool, congrats on helping kids improve ;)
Quote from: Drunkard LMNO on October 21, 2008, 02:47:44 PM
Quote from: Eve on October 21, 2008, 01:30:57 AM
I think it sounds kind of.. well, fun isn't necessarily the right word, but something like it. Then again, I suffer from occasional bouts of thinking that influencing kids to be better people can be enjoyable. Lail!
Thread title made me think of the Ataris.
GONNA HAVE A TEENAGE RIOT! THEY'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A KID TODAY!
\
(http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news/images/a/Ataris/sq-ataris-mtv-exclusive-jc.jpg)
Does it show my age that the first thing I thought of was Sonic Youth?
Yes. Yes, it does.
:gheyforum:
i think of ATARI TEENAGE RIOT every time i see the title of this thread.
Sonic Youth is older than ATR afaik (even though Delete Yourself is pretty old), what do they have to do with ATR?
Woo! Teens!
In all seriousness, that's really good stuff that you've done. Props to you.
Bump.
I travel into the woods tomorrow for the first retreat of the year. Looks like it's going to be a bit nippy out there. Maybe some rain, maybe some snow. And man, is there a lot of shit to pack.