PROJECT E.S.-TEAM
WHAT:
Project E.S.-Team (an acronym for Empowered Student Team ) is a program to
help schools reach identified "at-risk" youth. The program features an intensive
training retreat for students designed to foster decision making, problem-solving,
listening and communication skills. The retreat includes a variety of experiential
"ropes course" activities, small group sessions and skill lessons which
facilitate group bonding and teamwork. Self-awareness, leadership and the importance of
critical thinking will also be discussed. Once trained, the student teams are empowered to
conduct school and community service projects.
WHEN:
A two-day overnight retreat format has proven to work the best; however, the training can
be modified into a one-day event.
Two-day: Detailed agenda enclosed.
One-Day: Typically runs from 9:00 A.M to .4:00 P.M. (with lunch)
Note: To conduct the one-day training, the small group sessions and organized activity
times are eliminated and the number of skill lessons are reduced. However, a variety of
teaching strategies including ropes course activities are still utilized.
WHERE:
Two-day: A retreat camp facility will be necessary for the overnight retreat because the
location would need to have space for lodging, meals and appropriate meeting space to help
facilitate the kinds of activities and lessons being presented during the workshop.
One-day: A school or another location that could provide an indoor meeting room for the
large group sessions and some outdoor space to conduct the ropes activities.
Note: In case of inclement weather, a location that would be large enough to have three or
four separate indoor areas to set-up activities would be most ideal.
TRAINING STAFF:
Generally, a staff of four trainers is required to appropriately conduct the ropes course
team building activities and present the skill lessons throughout the retreat. We like to
maintain a ratio of one trainer per ten-to-fifteen participants.