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Project Venture. A project of: National Indian Youth Leadership Project. NIYLP Mission. to nurture the potential of Native youth to create a more positive world through adventure-based learning through service to nature, community and family. What is Project Venture?.
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Project Venture A project of: National Indian Youth Leadership Project
NIYLP Mission • to nurture the potential of Native youth to create a more positive world • through adventure-based learning • through service to nature, community and family.
What is Project Venture? • Native-developed program • Guided by advice from Native Elders • Model Program (CSAP & NREPP) • Most Effective Program for Native youth (CSAP High Risk Youth Study, 2002) • Positive Youth Development approach • Supported by Research
Project Venture brings together: • Outdoor, adventure activities Ropes Course, rappelling, canoeing, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, etc. • Service Learning Meaningful projects that are youth- centered and designed, address cultural, environmental and other community needs. • Cultural and Native values based Leadership
Essential Elements of Project Venture • Population • Middle school aged Native youth (grades 5-8) • High school aged service staff • Mix of risk levels • Program Components Experiential education Connecting to the natural world Physical and emotional challenge Service Learning • Service Learning Active learning Connections to the academic themes School or community service Critical thinking and analysis skills Connections to culture and language *Roots & Shoots Culturally based leadership Service ethic in tribal context Language, history and values Cross-cultural exchange and awareness Elder/intergenerational
Program Delivery • Approximately 150 hours annually • Four components of programming In school After school Weekends Summer
In-School Component EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - Ice Breakers - Socialization - Team Building - Problem Solving - Trust Building - Skill Building Builds on camp concepts, Prepares for higher level challenges 1+ classroom sessions per week, 20+ classroom sessions per year
Out-of-School Component EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - Team Building - Problem Solving - Skill Building - Trust Building Builds on in-school activities Increased challenge 1 or more afterschool sessions per week
Weekend Extended Trips 1 or more weekend activity per month Extended trips/treks during school vacation breaks Increased challenge/perceived risks EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - High Ropes Course - Hiking, Camping - Rappelling, Biking - Field Trips/Training
Summer Camps/Treks • 4 to 8 days • Immersion experience • Introduce values, norms • Introduce service ethic, conduct projects • Introduce nutrition principles • Introduce Journaling • Reconnect with natural world • (Re)Connect with spiritual awareness
Annual Leadership Camp 28 years; 1983-2010
Full Value Commitment • Set of guidelines for how we interact with each other • Be Here • Be Safe • Speak Your Truth • Set Goals • Let go and Move On
Native Cultural Values • Activities tied to local cultural and spiritual traditions • Intergenerational service projects • Family activities, potlucks, dinners, etc. • Elders as advisors, mentors
Service Learning • Youth-led • Meaningful • Service leadership ethic • Projects begin with simple, move to complex • Relationships emphasized • Culturally relevant • Skill building • Reflection and dialogue
INSTRUMENTS American Drug & Alcohol Survey National Youth Survey Resilience Scale (CHKS & IPFI) Locus of Control Survey Strategies for Success Survey (based on CSAP NOMS) FINDINGS Reduced Alcohol Marijuana Cigarettes Inhalants Illicit drugs Increased Protective Factors: Locus of Control Resilience Factors Evaluation Design:Pre/Post with Comparison Group
Major Findings • Project Venture reduces ATOD risk factors and increases protective factors • Project Venture cited as MOST EFFECTIVE prevention program for Native youth in CSAP’s National Cross-Site Study of High Risk Youth Demonstration Projects (Springer & Sambrano, 2002)
High Risk Youth Study The National High Risk Youth Cross-Site Study (HRY) there are eight components that the most effective prevention programs for youth share. According to Dr. Fred Springer, Director of the National High Risk Youth Cross Site Study, Project Venture is the only prevention program that includes components and practices for all eight factors.
Readiness Assessment • Leadership • Expertise • Funding • Partnerships • Impact Potential
Ready for sustainability Nearly ready to implement Fully ready to implement Not yet ready to implement Nearly ready to implement Nearly ready to implement Not yet ready to implement Not yet ready to implement Not yet ready to implement Readiness / capability Summary Alignment w/ Non-negotiables
Typical 2 Day Training • Intro to session, Overview of PV • Expectations for the training • Visioning: What you hope to see in the coming year • Full Value Commitment • Categories of activities, practice • Environmental/community Scan • Year long plan