Putting learning into action!

"I’ve been teaching history for 10 years. The skills I’ve learned through my Project Adventure trainings have been the highlight of my teaching career!"

Mike Brady, Indian River Middle School, Chesapeake VA

Mike became re-engaged with Project Adventure in 2007 when he wanted to pursue his Master’s Degree. After eight years of teaching middle school history, Mike was considering getting his Master’s in counseling. After doing some research, he realized that school counseling wasn’t exactly the direction he was seeking.

A brainstorming exercise reminded him of an experience he had working at a camp where he used adventure-based methods. Mike realized, "Wow, why don’t I pursue something along the lines of Project Adventure".

Mike recalls that his research led him to the Project Adventure/Plymouth State University Master’s in Education program. The combination of PA workshops and PSU classes "are in line with my passion."

As team leader, Mike has been able to introduce his fellow teachers to the core concepts of Project Adventure including the Full Value Contract, Challenge by Choice© and intentionally-designed activities.

He recalled an incident where the benefit of Project Adventure’s methods was demonstrated. A teacher left the class room briefly. Upon his return, the teacher noticed that someone had written a derogatory term on the board. Of course, no one would come clean on who had written the word. Using the PA Adventure Group Process that Mike learned in his Adventure with Youth at Risk workshop and passed on to his fellow teachers, the students were empowered to maintain a safe learning environment while helping their peer to take ownership of negative behavior. During this process, the young woman admitted that she was the one who had written on the board. Her peers decided on a consequence, which she agreed to (In School Suspension) and served.

This intervention was successful for all students, including the young woman, because the ground work was done in advance through the use of the Full Value Contract and active learning including adventure activities. These methods increase social and emotional competency, develop an emotionally safe learning environment, and challenge students to become responsible and accountable for their own behaviors.

Mike is hoping to build on this success. He is proposing a nine-week Project Adventure based course. Students, some who will elect to participate and some who maybe identified, will increase social and emotional skills, increase pro-social behaviors and ultimately increase academic success.

To learn more about how you can bring Project Adventure into your school or program, email bwonson@pa.org or call 1-978-524-4619.