Monday, November 10, 2008
Project Adventure Fans and Friends - Sign up now
Be on of the first to sign up on the newest blog feature - Project Adventure Fans and Friends...scroll all the way to the VERY bottom of the blog...and sign up!
Achieving Fitness of the Body and the Mind, Jane Panicucci
Strategies Magazine, published by NASPE features Achieving Fitness of Body and Mind by Jane Panicucci.
Panicucci is available for professional development, district wide in-service and keynote sessions. As the thought-leader in the value of social/emotional competency and physical activity in schools, Panicucci's message is founded in solid research. All members of the educational community, from administrators to practitioners, will leave with a fresh understanding the impact physical activity on the brain's ability to learn.
Panicucci serves as the Treasurer for the National Afterschool Association, is a coach for administrators seeking to bring about culture and climate change within their schools, is a former physical educator and Outward Bound course leader. Jane has held positions as corporate consultant, Director of Training and Consulting and is currently the Vice President at Project Adventure, Inc.
Call 978-524-4619 or email info@pa.org for more info.
Panicucci is available for professional development, district wide in-service and keynote sessions. As the thought-leader in the value of social/emotional competency and physical activity in schools, Panicucci's message is founded in solid research. All members of the educational community, from administrators to practitioners, will leave with a fresh understanding the impact physical activity on the brain's ability to learn.
Panicucci serves as the Treasurer for the National Afterschool Association, is a coach for administrators seeking to bring about culture and climate change within their schools, is a former physical educator and Outward Bound course leader. Jane has held positions as corporate consultant, Director of Training and Consulting and is currently the Vice President at Project Adventure, Inc.
Call 978-524-4619 or email info@pa.org for more info.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Will Smith, Oprah and Adventure
I watched the Oprah show in awe yesterday as Will Smith discussed turning 40 and what that means for transforming his life to a place of service for others. What does this have to do with adventure teaching and counseling?
Will talked about the power of groups. How groups, when performing well, can actually manage the emotional and physical safety of their community (he was using his family dynamics as an example and he and his wife's parenting philosophy). He talked about how the power of being inside the group or pushed out of the group can be a powerful tool. He was very vague, but passionate...and had clearly thought a lot about this concept of the group...and the ability to harness the power of it for good. Of course, the advertising breaks kept interrupting his thought process and momentum (he even voiced frustration when the "going to commercial music" started saying "No, not again").
He reminded me so much of so many people who experience Project Adventure for the first time. When they begin to really understand that the Full Value Contract is more than rules. That is a living, breathing agreement for guiding and transforming the community. When they experience "Challenge by Choice"(c) and see that it is not a tool for opting out, but actually a tool for empowerment. For taking risks in a safe and supported environment. When they experience communication, reflection and feedback through the "Adventure Group Process" - and for the first time in their lives understand the difference between open, honest and valuing communication and criticism.
What Will Smith was describing was the power of the Project Adventure's methodology. He was talking about what PA has been seeing and experiencing for over 37 years as a non-profit organization.
Will, if you are looking to put a name to what you are describing, it is called "adventure education". If you are looking to learn more about how a non-profit, comprised of believers, educators, counselors, administrators and researchers have been developing curriculum, training professionals, working with youth on leadership, and striving to transform the life's of vulnerable and at-risk youth through the use of this methodology - please contact us. ( info@pa.org or 805-556-0895.
Will talked about the power of groups. How groups, when performing well, can actually manage the emotional and physical safety of their community (he was using his family dynamics as an example and he and his wife's parenting philosophy). He talked about how the power of being inside the group or pushed out of the group can be a powerful tool. He was very vague, but passionate...and had clearly thought a lot about this concept of the group...and the ability to harness the power of it for good. Of course, the advertising breaks kept interrupting his thought process and momentum (he even voiced frustration when the "going to commercial music" started saying "No, not again").
He reminded me so much of so many people who experience Project Adventure for the first time. When they begin to really understand that the Full Value Contract is more than rules. That is a living, breathing agreement for guiding and transforming the community. When they experience "Challenge by Choice"(c) and see that it is not a tool for opting out, but actually a tool for empowerment. For taking risks in a safe and supported environment. When they experience communication, reflection and feedback through the "Adventure Group Process" - and for the first time in their lives understand the difference between open, honest and valuing communication and criticism.
What Will Smith was describing was the power of the Project Adventure's methodology. He was talking about what PA has been seeing and experiencing for over 37 years as a non-profit organization.
Will, if you are looking to put a name to what you are describing, it is called "adventure education". If you are looking to learn more about how a non-profit, comprised of believers, educators, counselors, administrators and researchers have been developing curriculum, training professionals, working with youth on leadership, and striving to transform the life's of vulnerable and at-risk youth through the use of this methodology - please contact us. ( info@pa.org or 805-556-0895.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Staff Development Feedback - Wouldn't you like to hear these comments?
Any school administrator will tell you that it is no easy task to strike a balance when providing professional development for staff. Finding a program that your faculty sees as a good use of thier time, is meaningful and relevant and will actually help them grow as professionals....is not easy.
Recently, Senior PA Consultant Bart Crawford conducted a professional development session at the International School in Greenwich CT. Here is some feedback on the program:
"...able to be out of our comfort zones in non-threatening ways".
"Building relationships with respect and communication".
"Over the past few years we have been through a lot and we needed this opportunity to help us move forward".
"There were definitely activities today that I can use in my classes".
"It was helpful to reflect on who we are as learners".
"This workshop was more relevant and useful than previous 'group building' sessions".
"We need to have more experiences like this".
"I feel relaxed and stress free...and grateful for not having to sit all day".
"This was the most relaxing and fun staff development day I've had in 7 years".
"It was a pleasure to be in a workshop with a facilitator who has clear goals, is well prepared and leads the group comfortably".
Recently, Senior PA Consultant Bart Crawford conducted a professional development session at the International School in Greenwich CT. Here is some feedback on the program:
"...able to be out of our comfort zones in non-threatening ways".
"Building relationships with respect and communication".
"Over the past few years we have been through a lot and we needed this opportunity to help us move forward".
"There were definitely activities today that I can use in my classes".
"It was helpful to reflect on who we are as learners".
"This workshop was more relevant and useful than previous 'group building' sessions".
"We need to have more experiences like this".
"I feel relaxed and stress free...and grateful for not having to sit all day".
"This was the most relaxing and fun staff development day I've had in 7 years".
"It was a pleasure to be in a workshop with a facilitator who has clear goals, is well prepared and leads the group comfortably".
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