Early Intervention: Challenge Program
Information for Students & Parents
Pennsylvania boys and girls, ages 8 through 12, are referred to this program by their school counselors, teachers, administrators, or other youth service professionals. Professionals wishing to apply for the limited slots for youth on their caseloads should see Information for Professionals in this section.
Parents and students wanting to know a little more about The Second Mile's Challenge Program should check out the information below.
| Q&A for Parents | What to Bring to the Residential Week |
Questions and Answers for Parents
1. What is The Second Mile Challenge Program?
The Challenge Program is designed to help youngsters build their self-confidence and self-esteem. The focus of the residential week is to help youngsters develop skills in the following areas: goal-setting, decision-making, teamwork, and academic responsibility.
2. How do youngsters become involved in the program?
Professionals working with youth in their home schools and communities recommend youngsters whom they believe could benefit from skill-building and from additional adult encouragement.
3. What will my child be doing during the residential week?
Throughout the residential week, your child will participate in many typical camp activities-- recreational activities like swimming and skating, arts and crafts activities, and outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. In addition, because of our program's special focus, youngsters will be involved in activities that focus on team-building and cooperation skills and will hear from various speakers who will help them develop positive decision-making skills and renew their academic commitment.
4. Where will my child be staying?
Currently, the Challenge Program occurs at three different sites. At University Park, PA, youngsters stay in Penn State dormitories and use the facilities of the University Park Campus. In Downingtown, youngsters stay at and use the facilities of the Paradise Farm Camps. Finally, participants in our SMILE program use tents and cabins in the State College area as their base camp from which they do a series of multi-day trips.
5. What do I, as a parent, need to provide for my child's stay during the residential week?
The program is provided at no cost to the youngsters participating. Parents are asked simply to provide transportation to and from the residential-site as well as provide clothing and toiletries necessary to attend. In special circumstances, The Second Mile is able to assist with transportation needs through a network of volunteers. While the program has an excellent safety record, parents are also asked to provide medical insurance information as parent insurance serves to provide primary coverage for participants. However, if a family is not able to afford medical insurance, The Second Mile is able to provide limited coverage.
6. What makes The Second Mile Challenge Program so unique?
The Second Mile Challenge Program is unique because of its focus on skill-building. Additionally, there is a focus on the importance of giving back and respecting one's community and the people who live there. Thus, youngsters at each site participate in a community service project during their residential week and plan for the completion of a community service project back in their home communities. Completion of this community service project, along with meeting two goals set during the residential week, are your child's keys to earning a return trip the following summer.
7. Does that mean that attendance at a residential week is not a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Participants can earn their way back to the Challenge Program's residential weeks year after year by, once they've returned to their home schools and communities, meeting two goals which they set while attending the residential week. The goals are developed based on the input of the professional who referred your child, as well as your input. Thus, each child will bring home from the residential week two goals that are personal, specific, attainable, and important to his or her own development.
Many youngsters make goals that pertain to academic achievement, while others set goals that have to do with social skills such as making an additional friend or becoming involved in an extra-curricular activity. Your child's counselor will assess progress on those goals and on completing the community service project and, if your child has been successful, will recommend a return trip. Each year, approximately 80% of our participants are past participants.
8. What can I do to help?
As a parent, you have an important role in your child's life and in his or her return to the residential weeks. Parents can remind youngsters to work on their goals and can use encouragement to motivate children in this process. Parents can also assist in the area of community service by helping their youngsters find an appropriate project and, perhaps, by assisting with transportation related to that project.
In addition, parents can help by providing The Second Mile with important data so that we can continue to track program participants -- change of address, change of phone numbers, change of school, or change of counselor. Stay in touch with The Second Mile. Don't let your child's opportunity for a return trip get "lost" in the shuffle of life's changes.
9. Staying in contact ...
Just as we ask you to stay in touch with The Second Mile, we ask each participant to stay in touch, too. To provide children with a sense of continuity and support and the feeling that they are part of The Second Mile family, The Second Mile will make monthly contact via mail or phone with each participant. Youngsters are asked to send The Second Mile news about themselves, contributions to our program newspaper, and progress reports about meeting goals and school success. We invite you to share in that experience by encouraging your child to share information with The Second Mile and by discussing all of our correspondence with the participant in your household.
What to Bring to the Residential Week
Bring normal summer clothing for hot weather, as well as cool days and evenings. Rain equipment is recommended. There are a lot of outdoor activities, so please do NOT bring clothing that you wouldn't want to get dirty. The Second Mile cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items; therefore, we suggest that you leave your valuables at home. A checklist of suggested items that you may want to bring is as follows:
• Signed Participant Agreement (Mandatory) |
• Completed and Signed Medication Log (Mandatory if bringing
medication) |
| • Signed Permission Slip (if you haven't already turned it in) |
• Two white T-shirts for craft projects |
• A sleeping bag (or a set of sheets for a twin bed and a blanket) and a
pillow (with a pillowcase)
|
• A PILLOW |
• If you wear glasses, you will need a GLASSBAND so they don't get
lost |
• Athletic socks (five pairs at least) |
• Sneakers or tennis shoes (2 pairs if possible) |
• Gym shorts (several pairs) |
• Sweatshirt and/or a long sleeve T-shirt |
• Rain clothing |
• Towels (two minimum) and washcloths |
• Swimsuit |
• Laundry bag |
• Underwear |
• T-shirts (five minimum) |
• Jacket, windbreaker, etc. |
• Casual clothing |
• Soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste |
• All items in a suitcase or sealed bag (no loose items) |
| |
| Optional Items |
• Camera/Film |
• Fan |
|
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