Adventure - Risk - Challenge...

A Sagehen Creek Field Station Outreach Program

Rope course teamwork | Backpacking | Reading | Class | Climbing

Adventure-Risk-Challenge

Sagehen is very pleased to team with Katie Zanto in offering the Adventure-Risk-Challenge Summer Literacy & Leadership Program (ARC) for minority teens. In 2007, we expanded ARC to students from both northern & southern California with our new program at the Sedgwick Reserve, UC Santa Barbara.

This 6-week summer school program has been designed for motivated, high-level English Language Learner (ELL) students with leadership potential. ARC combines an intensive literacy focus with outdoor education: place-based, experiential curriculum. The issue:

  • Approximately 25% of our student population in the Truckee, Tahoe School District is designated as ELL, 90% of these students are achieving below grade level and will not pass the upcoming High School Exit Exam, and 60% of these students drop out of school before they graduate. Broader California statistics mirror these trends.
  • Motivated, high-level ELL students in California have virtually no summer school opportunities to raise their literacy skills to test out of ELL designation and enter mainstream classes.
  • Research has proven that literacy instruction combined with meaningful outdoor leadership curriculum can raise student grade levels up to 2 grade levels in one 6-week session.

After the intensive summer program, ARC graduates follow through with service projects in their local communities. Graduates also assist with public outreach presentations & new student recruitment. We offer tutoring & reunion opportunities throughout their high school careers. Many of our students are now leaders in their neighborhoods & are college-bound. These students are the first in their families to receive higher education. We couldn't be prouder!

Word document 2007 A.R.C. Program Information --Word doc [80K].

Articles:
 
Printable ARC handouts & info:
     

Additional links to press about the program.


  Word document ARC Curriculum--Word doc [39K].
  Word document ARC Activities--Word doc [109K].
   
  PDF ARC Student Profile --PDF [1.38M].
   
2007 ARC flyer & photos--JPG [1.13M].
2006 ARC flyer & photos--JPG [497K].
PDF 2005 ARC flyer & photos--PDF [1.4M].
 
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Photos, Video & More:
 
Radio & TV Programs:
     
 
 
     
podcast...Listen to or download a variety of programs about A.R.C., interviews with the Program Director & commentary from past students.
 
Examples of ARC Student Work:
 
ARC Job Announcements:
     
 

Word document Course Director position
Word document Lead Instructor position
Word document Assistant Instructor position

     

Writing | Conservation work | Kayaking | Course work

For more information about ARC or to become a program sponsor, contact ARC Director Katie Zanto or use the links at left to make a donation to the program.

ARC is funded entirely through grants & gifts from the community. Learn more about our wonderful program sponsors here.

Donate!