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.
1 comment:
Here here Beth, well put. I hope given the pforile of such media heavy weights that many others were listening in too and made the connection. Or if not, are encouraged to find the connection... US!!
cheers, Mark
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