Extreme Engagement

As we work with schools who are transforming historical culture into a culture of engagement, one of the critical pieces that we stress is that everyone within the community much remained challenged, and must see what they are doing as critical to success for engagement to continue. School set "stretch goals" that move the school out of the comfort zone. Stretch goals with students help them achieve more than they believed was possible.

There is an extraordinary camp in Snowmass, Colorado that has mastered the use of stretch goals and extreme engagement  and is seeing incredible results. What makes the camp so exceptional is not the rock climbing, water skiing, rafting, or crossing a river with only a rope at the feet. This camp is unique because of its campers; they have autism.

 

The camp offers extreme sports to kids that are not likely to have experienced any sort of sports before, but certainly not extreme sports. The camp's method stresses sensory overload. Struggling is part of the course.  (Click here to view the ABC Nightline segment about the camp)

 

Staff members at the camp engage with the children, and study each camper so they can understand how best to reach that individual. They use touch with the campers who can’t communicate any other way. With others, touch is used as a way to overload the senses. Each child gets the individualized program he or she needs - and is pushed to their limit, and then beyond those limits! The children experience a sense of accomplishment, and take pride in doing something that nobody - even the child himself - thought he could. The camp fosters a sense of solidarity and cooperative spirit among the campers, but its the ultimate goal is self-reliance. And the campers return - year after year! 

As you are setting goals for your school, or your classroom, or your child, think about the benefits these children get from reaching beyond what they thought they could do, and set stretch goals that challenge you to do more as you continue the journey toward full engagement throughout the learning community.

 

Click here for more information about the Extreme Sports Camp in Roaring Fork Valley.