Project Venture A project of: National Indian Youth Leadership Project

NIYLP Mission –to nurture the potential of Native youth to create a more positive world –through adventure- based learning –through service to nature, community and family.

What is Project Venture? Native-developed program Guided by advice from Native Elders Model Program (CSAP & NREPP) Most Effective Program for Native youth (CSAP High Risk Youth Study, 2002) Positive Youth Development approach Supported by Research

Project Venture brings together: Outdoor, adventure activities Ropes Course, rappelling, canoeing, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, etc. Service Learning Meaningful projects that are youth- centered and designed, address cultural, environmental and other community needs. Cultural and Native values based Leadership

Essential Elements of Project Venture Population –Middle school aged Native youth (grades 5-8) –High school aged service staff –Mix of risk levels Program Components Experiential education Connecting to the natural world Physical and emotional challenge Service Learning Active learning Connections to the academic themes School or community service Critical thinking and analysis skills Connections to culture and language *Roots & Shoots Culturally based leadership Service ethic in tribal context Language, history and values Cross-cultural exchange and awareness Elder/intergenerational

Program Delivery Approximately 150 hours annually Four components of programming In school After school Weekends Summer

In-School Component EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - Ice Breakers - Socialization - Team Building - Problem Solving - Trust Building - Skill Building Builds on camp concepts, Prepares for higher level challenges 1+ classroom sessions per week, 20+ classroom sessions per year

Out-of-School Component EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - Team Building - Problem Solving - Skill Building - Trust Building Builds on in-school activities Increased challenge 1 or more afterschool sessions per week

Weekend Extended Trips 1 or more weekend activity per month Extended trips/treks during school vacation breaks Increased challenge/perceived risks EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES - High Ropes Course - Hiking, Camping - Rappelling, Biking - Field Trips/Training

Summer Camps/Treks 4 to 8 days Immersion experience Introduce values, norms Introduce service ethic, conduct projects Introduce nutrition principles Introduce Journaling Reconnect with natural world (Re)Connect with spiritual awareness

Annual Leadership Camp 28 years;

Full Value Commitment Set of guidelines for how we interact with each other - Be Here - Be Safe - Speak Your Truth - Set Goals - Let go and Move On

Native Cultural Values Activities tied to local cultural and spiritual traditions Intergenerational service projects Family activities, potlucks, dinners, etc. Elders as advisors, mentors

Service Learning Youth-led Meaningful Service leadership ethic Projects begin with simple, move to complex Relationships emphasized Culturally relevant Skill building Reflection and dialogue

Evaluation Design: Pre/Post with Comparison Group INSTRUMENTS American Drug & Alcohol Survey National Youth Survey Resilience Scale (CHKS & IPFI) Locus of Control Survey Strategies for Success Survey (based on CSAP NOMS) FINDINGS Reduced Alcohol Marijuana Cigarettes Inhalants Illicit drugs Increased Protective Factors: Locus of Control Resilience Factors

Major Findings Project Venture reduces ATOD risk factors and increases protective factors Project Venture cited as MOST EFFECTIVE prevention program for Native youth in CSAP’s National Cross-Site Study of High Risk Youth Demonstration Projects (Springer & Sambrano, 2002)

High Risk Youth Study The National High Risk Youth Cross-Site Study (HRY) there are eight components that the most effective prevention programs for youth share. According to Dr. Fred Springer, Director of the National High Risk Youth Cross Site Study, Project Venture is the only prevention program that includes components and practices for all eight factors.

Readiness Assessment Leadership Expertise Funding Partnerships Impact Potential

Support Levels

Summary PV Program Name: Location: Key contact: Criteria Total scaled score Minimum threshold Meets minimum threshold?Overall assessment Alignment with non-negotiables - 3.0No Leadership - 2.0No Expertise - 2.0No Partners - 2.0No Funding - 2.0No Impact potential - 2.0No Non-negotiable(s) unmet? Fully ready to implementFully ready to implement Ready for sustainabilityReady for sustainability Nearly ready to implementNearly ready to implement Not yet ready to implementNot yet ready to implement Readiness / capabilityReadiness / capability Alignment w/ Non-negotiablesAlignment w/ Non-negotiables Not yet ready to implementNot yet ready to implement Not yet ready to implementNot yet ready to implement Not yet ready to implementNot yet ready to implement Nearly ready to implementNearly ready to implement Nearly ready to implementNearly ready to implement

Typical 2 Day Training Intro to session, Overview of PV Expectations for the training Visioning: What you hope to see in the coming year Full Value Commitment Categories of activities, practice Environmental/community Scan Year long plan