Staff Member for a Day

Staff Member for The Day

Feeling out of control is a common theme with adolescents, especially those who have experienced instability in their home.  One WYN after school participant didn't realize it at the time, but she was about to change this experience for herself and her fellow WYN participants.  One day when Maggie Clay, the Director of the program asked to meet with "all staff" to prepare the group for an activity, "Meredith," one of the participants asked, "Can I be a staff person?"  Maggie thought it over and said, "Sure!"  Maggie knew that this could be a unique opportunity for Meredith to gain skills in leading a group, and she thought it could also be a unique way to help the other students stay quiet and pay attention.  It worked!  Meredith, with a little help from our staff, did a great job of leading her peers in the activity that day, and the other students showed her respect.  The students also became curious about how, they too, could be able to lead activities for their peers.  The idea caught on, and now we are regularly implementing the "staff member for the day" concept.  This has given participants the opportunity to learn how to lead and speak in front of a large group of people, in addition to the management group behaviors (such as talking while others are talking).  Sometimes when you live in a world of grown ups telling you what to do all the time, it's nice to be a "staff member" for a day! 

The Bridge to Recovery

The Bridge to Recovery

The month of September is National Recovery month which "increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover (SAMHSA, 2016)."

Western Youth Network's Prevention team is trying to bridge the gap between prevention and recovery.  We will be hosting two different films in the community to help raise awareness of mental and substance abuse disorders and how family and friends are affected as well.  

To learn more check out: https://www.recoverymonth.gov/

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WYN aCROSS-Cultures

On any given day when walking into the WYN offices there is a sense of excitement and energy.  There is an electric pull into this world of fresh ideas and youth buzzing with enthusiasm for the next adventure.  But on this particular day there was something new and intangible. The building was alive with curiosity and inquisitive minds from all ages.

On this magical day, upon walking in the WYN gym you would have seen organized chaos made up of a group of youth and a group of adults from all ages, and from numerous cultures and races encouraging one another to achieve the same goal.  This exact goal was simply to work together. 

In a matter of minutes these two groups of diverse people whom had never meet one another in their entire lives came together and collaborated to work through different team building activities.  At the end of their single hour together, they had achieved so much more than simply learning each other’s names or putting pieces of plastic together to build a track for a ball; they had broken down barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

Our guests on this day particular day were the Mandela-Washington Fellows who represented 19 different African countries and were in the U.S for their achievements within their own home country.  They came to WYN because many of their programs had a huge youth focus and they wanted to learn from us.  But unexpectedly, the WYN kids learned more from them.  

Our youth were able to erase judgments that they had acquired over many of never being exposed to other cultures.  They learned that no matter where you’re from or the color of your skin we are all the same at heart and everyone just wants to the opportunity to play games and have fun. 

When the fellows left that day, the kids lined up outside in order to wave goodbye and make a plea for their return.  Their conversations for the remaining time revolved around “how cool,” the fellows were and how they wished they could see them again.  It’s truly amazing how life-changing one encounter can be, and how it can shape your outlook for years to come.

Exploring Nature

Many of our campers have lived in the High Country their entire lives and have never experienced any of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s overlooks. One day for Summer Programming, we decided to hike three different locations on the parkway that involved different levels of terrain.
First, we started at Thunder Hill Outlook and breathed in the mountain air while having alone time to process the beauty it has to offer. The kids were amazed at the size of the mountains and were ecstatic. Some kids mentioned that it was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen! We continued down the parkway to Beacon Heights, and as we stopped along the trail to climb on trees and rocks, the kids mentioned that they could live here for a week! 
The campers acknowledged the smell of the trees and flowers while admiring the cool mountain air. As we reached the top of the mountain, the kids explored and had time to reflect in their quiet place on the mountain. We debriefed after a few minutes and the kids shared how lucky they were to be involved with WYN and to be able to see these beautiful mountain tops. 
One camper expressed how grateful she was for even being able to have eye sight to witness these views, while another camper said he loved the quiet because he was finally able to focus in his mind. 
The kids really started to be energized so we needed to refuel with something a little more challenging. We made our way back down to the vans and headed towards Flat Rock Trail. As we started the ascent, the campers' negativity also started because they couldn’t see the top. We reassured them that we would make it, and when we finally did, all of their attitudes changed! 
At the top, smiles didn’t leave the kids' faces, they were in shock and awe. The kids asked if they could scream into the mountains and we agreed as long as they only shouted positive things. Suddenly, every kid screamed to the top of their lungs, “WYN IS AWESOME!” “I LOVE SUMMER CAMP!” “NATURE IS MY BEST FRIEND!” “I LOVE THIS PLACE!”  

After connecting to their emotions, we ate lunch and admired the view of Grandfather Mountain until it began to rain. Immediately we gathered our stuff and scurried down the trail. As the rain hit the kids' faces, they began to shout and laugh with happiness. 
Once we made it to the vans, one camper decided to stand at the bottom of the trail. He threw his hands up and said, “this is has been the best day of my life.” When asked why he felt that way, he explained to that he has never felt this alive and that he wants to be on the parkway with his friends in the rain every day for the rest his life.
The beauty around us is inspiring and often we move too fast to truly absorb all that it has to offer. Once in a while we all need reminders to take a moment and see things like it's the first time. Perhaps we let the rain fall on our faces and scream from the mountaintops. 

 

 

Generosity at Summer Camp

WYN’s summer programming is in full swing, every available slot is filled and new adventures are occurring each day.  Our campers are so excited for an opportunity to do activities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.  They get to climb an Alpine tower, ride the Virginia Creeper, tube the New River and hike mountain tops.  All of these activities are possible because of our generous donors.  Especially, donors like Sandi Solomon who took all of our youth to attend Lees McRae’s performance of “Mary Poppins.”  Our youth, including the ones that do not normally enjoy theater were grateful of this opportunity and even commented on the quality of the production.  In addition, to the events offered to our youth because of donor support, we are able to go on numerous adventures because donor funds contributed to the purchase of a new van.  This van is a source of pride for our youth, they have coined it the “Spaceship” and fret over who is going to ride in it each day.  The Spaceship is getting our WYN campers safely from place to place and we could not be more thankful!

 Summer Campers with Sandi Solomon and Mary Poppins!

 Youth hanging out with the "Spaceship!"

Summer camp has become a place of refuge for many of our summer campers to escape the hardships that they face at home.  Currently, one of our success stories comes from a young lady who was afraid to come to summer camp.  WYN understood the importance of her attendance because if she had to stay at home she would spend most of her days just sitting around, unable to go many places or do many things because both of her parents are battling separate illnesses.  After missing most of the first week of camp, our staff reached out to find out what they could do to get her to camp.  One staff member spoke to her and found out that she was shy and worried about swimming in river water.  The next day that staffer picked her up and took her to camp and talk about everything that she was fearful of.  Once at camp she was introduced to other youth, staff members, interns, and volunteers.  She was welcomed and put at ease by everyone at WYN!  Now she is in her 3^rd week of camp and she despises when it’s the weekend because she loves camp so much.   She says that camp “brightens up her day, ” and she no longer worries about swimming in rivers! 

 Summer campers tubing and included in this picture is our camper who was afraid of river water!

A local collaboration between Western Youth Network (WYN), Mountain Alliance and Watauga County Schools will provide five local youth-serving professionals with an opportunity to be trained in the evidence-based curriculum Project Venture, March 6-9, in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.

Project Venture aims to prevent substance use and related problems through problem-solving and skill-building activities, outdoor adventure-based experiential activities, adventure camps and treks, and community-oriented service learning.

Together, WYN, Mountain Alliance and Watauga County Schools formed a team of five youth-serving professionals who were chosen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to participate in the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED).  NNEDLearn creates opportunities for community-based organizations to learn and implement evidence-based, adapted, and culturally-specific behavioral health practices.

“By adopting Project Venture you are joining a new community of youth workers willing to implement a program that is not ‘canned’, but requires creativity and dedication not usually found in other models,” Founder Mac Hall said.

 
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Mountain Alliance takes a break from their adventure at Worley’s Cave in Tennessee.

​A group of WYN youth pose at Upper Creek Falls after a day of hiking

WYN strives to build youth of confidence and character so that every young person in the High Country reaches their full potential.  Through the use of outdoor adventures, experiential education, service learning projects and team building, WYN works to strengthen self-awareness, leadership and social skills among middle school youth.

Similarly, Mountain Alliance provides high school-aged youth in Watauga County with opportunities to explore and develop their leadership potential through experiential learning.  By working closely with Watauga High School, Mountain Alliance connects students to a support structure and caring community to provide positive opportunities outside of school.

According to the program, traditional American Indian values are used to help youth develop positive self-concept, effective social interaction skills, and a community service ethic, internal locus of control, and increased decision making and problem-solving skills. The team, made up of Watauga County Schools’ Prevention Counselor, two WYN staff and two Mountain Alliance staff will be trained to implement this unique program to hundreds of Watauga County youth.

If you would like more information about Project Venture, Western Youth Network, or Mountain Alliance, please contact Hollie Storie at 828.264.5174.

Action-Packed Summer

As fall has quickly made itself known here in the High Country, we have loved reflecting on the action-packed summer of the Western Youth Network.

Our summer programing was once again filled to capacity, both with participants and action. The long days of sunshine and near-perfect temperatures provided countless hiking adventures, biking trips, service projects and recreational activities. Even though this year’s summer programming has come to a close, WYN has not slowed down a bit! The school year began, and both WYN afterschool sites have been filled everyday with laughter and learning. Our mentoring program has extended its resources to Avery County, successfully completing five mentor/mentee matches. The prevention team has continued its impactful work in a 5-county region, while expanding the range of services offered. The local and regional accolades continue to pour in for the hard work being done by our prevention team!

The development team has two new exciting missions as well! WYN is honored to announce a partnership with Sonny and Bricca Sweet, establishing the Sonny Sweet Scholarship Fund. This endowment fund will provide scholarships to High Country youth for participation in WYN programming, delivering life-altering opportunities to those in need. Additionally, Chetola Resort has graciously offered to host the inaugural Festival of Trees, December 3-6. Individuals and corporations can decorate a Christmas tree or wreath based on a theme, and these trees will be auctioned at the event. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees will go to support Western Youth Network. Decoration is open to all participants, so please click the link below for more information if you are interested!

While we are excited about the grown at WYN, we all know that our work is not complete. Currently, there are 45 youth in Watauga and Avery Counties on our mentor waitlist. Our afterschool programming department is now picking up youth from all eight elementary schools in Watauga County, leading to an increased demand for tutoring and continuing education. The education services of our prevention team are providing a higher success rate with local data showing a decline in underage drinking and prescription drug abuse; however, the battle is ever-continuing, growing, and requiring constant updated practices on substance abuse.

People ask everyday how they can help, and my response is always the same: GET INVOLVED! Help spread our message, donate, volunteer, be a mentor… The possibilities and opportunities are almost endless! Are you gifted administratively? We have work for you. Do you enjoy cleaning and organizing? We have work for you. Do you love kids? We have multiple connecting points for you. Think your financial gift is too small to matter? Let us show you the difference even ten dollars can make.

WYN is about investment. WYN is building youth of character and confidence in the High Country, and we need you in order to continue making this happen. 

 http://www.westernyouthnetwork.org/wordpress/festival-of-trees

http://www.westernyouthnetwork.org/wordpress/sonny-sweet-scholarship-fund