Responses from 6th Graders at Wescott Jr. High

Asked if they would you recommend FOCUS to next year's sixth graders? Why/Why not?

• FOCUS taught me to trust people that I never thought would have been trustworthy. It's really important to learn to work together, to trust each other and learn to make a commitment.
• FOCUS helps children make the right decisions and work together as a team. We learn the importance of teamwork, helping others and helping yourself! It also helps you in the long run and I think it should be shared with every class. It teaches you to accept people and not criticize them.
• FOCUS is so fun and it teaches you how to solve problems and how to use teamwork.
• FOCUS is a good experience to help us be a team and work together. I would not want any class to miss it. I love this program.
• FOCUS is fun and it helps with teamwork and gives us better communication skills.
• FOCUS makes you think and work together like a group of friends, even when you are not friends.
• FOCUS teaches patience, teamwork, good sportsmanship and listening skills while doing really fun activities.

Testimonials from Wescott Jr. High Teachers after their day on the low ropes course in October

My group had a great time yesterday and I finally felt that we did, indeed, 'come together.' The kids all raved about the experience and they want to return on a weekly basis. In any event, I feel that we can grow together and appreciate this opportunity to work with you all. Mark was both a fun and effective facilitator and we're eager to show him our 'stuff' in the spring. See you soon. I'll let you know how our plans to meet more frequently work out.
-Daria McNamara

I wanted to take a minute to let you know how presently surprised I am with the success of this program for kids as well as for staff. I think I was a bit leery of the some of the activities that I would be asked to participate in and to lead myself, but the response of the kids has been great. It is nice for both teachers and staff to see each other in an non-academic light and take risks to form group. Thank you for the opportunity as well as all of your team's hard work yesterday.
-Kristin K. Drottar

Testimonial from teacher after the Winter Expedition

I do know that after the day in the snow my group of kids thought they were finally working together and had lots of fun due to this fact. They seem to now know there is a need to listen to one another and not try to run the whole show by his/herself. No one can be the boss all the time. They have to take turns. It's a group act. They are more respectful of one another also and have used praise to make each other feel like part of the group. FOCUS is worth the time.
-Colette Gagnon

Testimonial from The Diversity Leadership Institute

The Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) is an organization of students from a variety of Maine high schools who are committed to teaching others to reduce prejudice, discrimination, and hate crimes. DLI is supported by The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. The success of this program depends entirely on the tone set by the young leaders and the relationships the students build with each other.

For the past 8 summers, the "Focus Through Adventure" program has provided a full day of group building and problem solving activities on the first day of the DLI summer conference. The excellent facilitators deliver a program that is a key factor in the success of DLI. With awareness and sensitivity,they set the tone and develop the foundation that all else is built upon during the remainder of the conference. It is here that our students begin to develop connections with complete strangers. It is here they begin to understand and value each other as unique individuals. It is here they learn to communicate with trust and respect. Many thanks for this exceptional program.
-Maggie McKinney, Guidance Counselor/Advisor Coordinator

Contacting FOCUS

The FOCUS adventure-based learning program provides a unique opportunity for students to work in small groups and develop key life-long skills. More information on FOCUS.

For more info or Ropes Course reservations, please contact:
Donna Murray, Director
207-294-4929
dmurray@sweetser.org