Young Teens: Building the Individual – Building the Group, ages 14-16
This group – 75% special needs and 25% typically developing – will be made up in part by participants from our August 2010 pilot program, which focused on inclusive activities appropriate to young teens’ changing developmental and social needs. Participants will meet weekly for 2-hours throughout the school year at our youth group program held in cooperation with the Nature Museum and at Shutaf vacation camps. A teen program coordinator and three Shutaf counselors will staff this entry point into Shutaf’s Young Leadership Program, supervising each teen’s development within a safe, supportive environment.
The year will focus first on group-building activities – towards developing and expressing self-identity while building a sense of ‘group belonging.’ Directed teaching strategies will be used with this group in order to keep the activities accessible to all taking part. Activities will include an empowerment and self-defense course with Shutaf partner, El Halev as well as a therapeutic arts and movement program designed to facilitate self-identity and expression. This group will be bused to youth group and camp programs.
