Help Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful - Don't Litter!
“Parents can only give good advice or put children on the right path, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank
“Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin
Nearly two dozen "youth adults" participated in the kick off of the Community Youth Group on Feburary 13th. Many youth came along with parents to learn more about the proposed youth group program. Advisors Christine Fazzi, Tina Sherwood, Christine Lacomis
and Jim Smith welcomed the youth and their parents, and took time explaining the purpose of the group, some of the activities planned, and the expectations of the youth participants. Jim Smith explained the paperwork involved in the youth registration process, while
Chrstine Fazzi talked about the activities and projects the youth will be working on.
Tina Sherwood and Christine Lacomis facilitated an interview process, where the youth were able to ask each other questions, and then share responses with everyone who participated.
Christine Fazzi asked the youth to brainstorm some ideas about the name for the group - and the creative juices were flowing!
The next meeting of the Community Youth Group will be on Friday, May 1st from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Bear Creek Community Charter School. All youth who will participate in group meetings and activities
starting on March 6th must have the required paperwork completed and returned - parents can stop into any Youth Group Meeting to complete the required paperwork.
Kickoff Photos - Click Below!
It is our mission to provide a safe environment where youth feel valued and share in constructive relationships with their peers, while encouraging the development of positive attributes that prevent involvement in risky behaviors and providing opportunities for them to meaningfully contribute to their community.
The youth group program is sponsored by the Bear Creek Foundation, an affiliate of Bear Creek Community Charter School. Participation is open to any youth, regardless of where they live or go to school. Participant ages 11 through 14 (grades 6, 7, and 8) are eligible to participate.
This is a youth-driven program incorporating education, peer support, and fun activities. Youth shape the program, support each other in their positive decisions, and determine how they will be positive role models for their peers. Adult advisors facilitate the positive relationships, opportunities, competencies, values and self perceptions that youth need to succeed. The program will provide youth with information that impacts decision-making skills and healthy, positive choices. The program will focus on personal growth by focusing on knowledge, good self concept, emotions, and interpersonal skills to establish positive behaviors. Youth will explore personal values and internal decisions regarding making positive choices while building identity and support with one’s peer group. They will also be encouraged to develop a positive self-concept through enhancement of leadership skills.
The youth group will provide alternative activities that are viewed as more rewarding than the high risk activities youth often engage in. The program will organize activities that can change conditions that exist in schools and communities by coordinating positive programs and activities that are initiated by youth. The youth group will capitalize on the developmental need for peer acceptance by harnessing the powerful influence of peer pressure and transforming it into a positive force that encourages young people to make positive choices. This is achieved in a supportive, accepting environment that recognizes young people as positive resources.
