PEAKS

2010 PEAKS Adventure Camp

Bibliography

PEAKS Pictures

PEAKS Cards

Newsfor Us! PAL

National Youth in Transition Database

 

 

 

What is PEAKS?

PEAKS Adventure – Physical and Environmental Activities for Knowledge and Skills – is a program offered by TNOYS offering experiential learning camps for youth and adults that emphasize:

• Building trust in self and others
• Developing cooperation and relationship skills
• Taking safe risks
• Successful problem solving
• Being creative
• Leadership development
• Having FUN!

The PEAKS Adventure is based on the belief that through structured experiential learning and positive interaction, youth and adult participants will have the opportunity to enhance self-awareness, increase their feelings of self worth, develop relationship skills, and discover their individual strengths and limitations. This, in turn will enable them to function more successfully in their daily lives.

PEAKS Adventure programs currently include three 4-day camp programs.

Trained professionals with expertise in experiential learning, group therapy and outdoor education facilitate the PEAKS Adventure.

Top

Who Can Participate?

PEAKS camps are designed for at-risk youth and their adult sponsors. One or two youth attend together with an adult sponsor.

A unique feature of PEAKS is the training/learning experience for the adult participants (counselors or parents), as well as a learning experience for youth. All participants will walk away with new ideas, activities and communication skills. Continuing education credit (CEU’s) are available to staff that attend.

(Click on the thumbnail to view the enlarged photo)

               

What Kinds of Things Will We Do?

This highly structured program involves day and evening activities linked with group processing. Typical activities include: Ropes Challenge Course, Swimming and Water Activities, Initiatives, New Games, Creative Arts and Dramatics, Nature Hikes, Canoeing, and Archery. All youth and adults participate in every aspect of this intensive program together.

          

Will Peaks Come to Us?

Yes! PEAKS provides training in experiential learning activities on site at youth serving agencies. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of the facility. To find out more click kschenck@tnoys.org to send email.

Top

   
2010 PEAKS Adventure

The 2010 PEAKS camp will take place at the HEB Foundation Camp located near Leakey, Texas on June 24-27, 2010.

Click here for PEAKS brochure and registration form

TNOYS members in good standing (2010 dues paid if full) are eligible for a PEAKS camp scholarship which will allow one person per agency (adult or youth) to attend the June 24-27 camp for FREE!     Scholarship Form

 

Click here for PEAKS Pictures
 

Top

 

Bibliography

• Canfield, J. And Wells, H., 100 Ways to Enhance Self-Concept in the Classroom. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1976.
• Cavert C,. Affordable Portables A Working Book of Activities and Problem Solving Elements, Oklahama City, OK: Wood and Barnes, 1999.
• Cavert C,. Games and Other Stuff for Group Book 1, Oklahama City, OK: Wood and Barnes, 1999.
• Cavert C., Sikes S., 50 Ways to Use Your Noodle, Tulsa, OK, Learning Unlimited, 1997.
• Fluegelman, A., New Gamesand More New Games. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1981.
• Gass, Michael, Adventure Therapy: Therapeutic Applications of Adventure Programming.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1993.*
• Gass, Michael, Metaphors, Volume II.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt publishing Company, 1995. *
• Gerstein, Jackie S., A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Family Counseling.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1994.
• Gerstein, Jackie S. And Gillis, H.L., The Family Circuit Newsletter.
  Contact Santa Fe Mountain Center, Rt. 4, Box 34C, Santa Fe, NM, 87501.
• Gil, Eliana, Play in Family Therapy.New York: The Guilford Press, 1994. *
• Goodman, J., Turning Points. Saratoga Springs, New Jersey: Creative Resources Press, 1978.*
• Jones, A., The Wrecking Ball Of Games and Activities,Ravensdale, WA: Idyll Arbor Inc., 1998.*
• Jones, A., The Wrecking Yard Of Games and Activities,Ravensdale, WA: Idyll Arbor Inc., 1998.*
• LeFevre, D.N., New Games for the Whole Family. New York: Perigee Books, 1988.
• Orlick, T. Cooperative Sports & Games Book.New York: Patheon Books, 1982.
• Rhonke, K., Silverbullets. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1984. *
• Rohnke, K., The Bottomless Bag. Massachusetts: Wilkscraft Creative Printing, 1988. *
• Rhonke, K., Cowstails and Cobras II.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1989.*
• Rhonke, K., The Bottomless Baggie!Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1991.*
• Rhonke, K., The Bottomless Bag Again.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1993.*
• Rohnke, K., and Butler, S., Quicksilver. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1994.*
• Schoel, J., Prouty, D., and Radcliff, P., Islands of Healing: A guide to Adventure Based Counseling. Hamilton, MA: Project Adventure Press, 1988.
• Weinstein, M. And Goodman, J. Playfair. San Luis Obispo, CA: Impact Publishers, 1985.*
• Youth Leaders, Youth Leadership In Action.Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1995.*

All resources marked with an asterix(*) are available for loan to all TNOYS Members, go to the TNOYS Resource Librarypage for more information.

 Top

 

News for Us!

News for Us! is a quarterly newsletter for youth 16-18 years old in foster care. We hope you enjoy its new layout. If you'd like to submit drawings, poetry, articles, or ideas to make it even better, please email them to its editor, Kim Schenck or you can mail them to Kim at TNOYS, 2525 Wallingwood Dr., Suite 1503, Austin, Texas 78746.

For PDF versions of the newsletters please click the links below:

Volume 13 Issue 2 - 2009
Volume 13 Issue 3 - 2009
Volume 14 Issue 1 - 2010
Volume 14 Issue 2 - 2010

 

National Youth Transition Database

How Can You...

• Get Involved?
• Leave a Legacy for Your Brothers and Sisters in Foster Care?
• Improve Your Community?
• Use Your Experiences to Really Make a Difference?

It's as easy as answering questions in an online survey. Your responses will be used to improve the quality of life for Texas youth. You can make a difference for yourself and others!

What is NYTD?

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) is a data collection system created to track independent living services and learn how successful states are in preparing youth to move from state care into adulthood. Texas will survey youth who are in foster care when they are age 17 and then do follow-up surveys of some youth at age 19 and the same youth again at age 21. Surveys begin October 1, 2010. For additional information visit the Department of Family and Protective Service website at: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Transitional_Living/nytd.asp.

How Can You Get Involved?

All youth who are or were in Texas foster care at age 16 or older are invited to register with the NYTD: Access Granted website. Make sure your contact information is kept up-to-date!

If you are selected to be part of the NYTD survey, take the survey!! This is your chance to help improve services and outcomes for youth in Texas. Those chosen to take the survey will be notified by email.

So, keep your contact information up to date if you want to have your say when you turn 17.

Where Do I Go Next? The NYTD: Access Granted Website

The NYTD: Access Granted website is where the NYTD Surveys will be posted. The website will also be a great source of information on what's happening in the Texas Youth community.

The NYTD: Access Granted website is coming soon!!! Check back often for updates and contact information for questions at www.texasyouthconnection.org under the Improve Foster Care-NYTD tab.