So one of my passions is Challenge Day. It is a program that takes 100 high school kids from all different backgrounds and puts them into the gym for a day together. They play games and then do activities that get them talking. I have attended many of these events and at the end of everyone, people literally reach their arms around each other in full love and support. Not ever a dry eye in the room. Check out this video.
http://vimeo.com/2109730
ChallengeDay.org
I am a career teacher (Jr. High and High School) and I LOVE what I saw, and felt, from this video. Thank you SO much for sharing about this and for posting this video. I know this was geared for High School- does this program ever come into the Jr. High? And, how does one become involved with Challenge Day? (I live and teach in northern Utah.)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Happy night!
After watching this video, I went searching online and found a link to information about Challenge Day:http://www.challengeday.org/index.php
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed with what I have seen here on your site that I immediately wrote an e-mail to the gal at our school who is in charge of student government. I gave her this link, told her about what I had seen, and asked her if this is something she might like to get our student leaders involved with. I hoped that would be a good start.
Thank you, again, for posting about this timely issue and solution!
Happy night. :)
I know of a couple Jr High's that had a lot of success with the program so it is an option for sure. I organized a few back at home in California so if you ever have questions about getting it going, I would love to help. A few Utah schools have done it as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out.
Also, something interesting is that Challenge Day and MTV teamed up to create a TV series called "If you really knew me" ( think that's what it's called at least?). And it starts in a week or two. I hope it's good :)
I will have to check out the new MTV show. Thank you for telling me about it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the offer to help me get this started in my school. I will see what the studentbody officers are going to do,if anything, then see where the principal might like to go with it. I will certainly keep you in mind and may holler for help! Thank you!
Another site I have looked extensivley at, and have used in my own classroom, is www.bullies2buddies It offers GREAT information on how to deal with bullies, being teased, having racial and gender slurs thrown at an individual. It gives a lot og good and practical information.
Are you a teacher? May I ask how you got into your line of work? Perhaps you have already posted on it and I missed it? Please let me know if you have. :)
Thank you, again!
love, and respect always. :)