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Youth Development |
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Today's youth face more dangers than any generation before them. Originally founded to meet the needs of at-risk youth, For Love of Children also works with school groups, group homes, sports teams and church youth groups. Through teambuilding, environmental education, and our Leaders in the Making (LITM) program, young people see that they have the strength to grow up without giving in to any of the distractions they face every day.
Numerous options are available for groups of all sizes to come out and learn, to challenge themselves and to have fun during a one-day or multi-day program. All programs are structured to align with state academic standards. A Ropes Course can be defined as a series of ropes, cables, beams or logs designed to provide a unique combination of individual and group challenges, starting at ground level (Low elements) and progressing upwards to heights of 20 to 45 feet (High elements). The Ropes Course is used to provide individuals and groups with an opportunity to encounter physical and mental challenges as they learn to accept responsibility for themselves and others in the problem-solving process. The Ropes Course is a valuable learning tool. It is a method of understanding relationships and improving self-concept and team-dynamics. The means by which the Ropes Course experience has practical meaning for any individual or group is rooted in the “discipline” (technique) by which the program is facilitated by its trained staff.
The use of these “tools” (Low and High Ropes Courses) will fall under two philosophical approaches, both attaining the same goals mentioned above. The first of these approaches follows the application of the “Adventure Wave” The Adventure Wave is a sequencing process that begins with BRIEFING, continues on to the adventure EXPERIENCE, and wraps up with the DEBRIEF. This approach is ideal for more mature participants who are able to make the metaphoric connection from the adventure activity to their real lives. The second approach is the more “Recreational” approach. For younger-age groups or groups not in the need of a “Processing” experience, the mere interaction, problem-solving and group work that go into attempting an adventure experience inherently enhances self-concept and model the skills mentioned above.
Low Ropes
High Ropes This is a good place to mention one very important thing about FLOC Outdoors
- our policy of "Challenge through Choice." In other words, if there is any activity a member of your group is uncomfortable with, there are many ways they can participate. For example, they can spot, or just shout encouragement to the other teammates.
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At FLOC OEC, we are blessed with access to the incredible beauty and wonder of the wilderness. However, the pristine and fragile environment around us demands our care and constant attention. Therefore, we are committed to aiding participants in understanding their relationship to both the natural and man-made surroundings. To achieve this, we have developed Environmental Learning Centers here at the OEC. Participants will have access many activities developed by OEC staff that meet content standards and objectives for WV, VA, MD and DC public schools. FLOC OEC is dedicated to providing experiences that will lead participants toward excitement about learning and growing in the world around them. In the classroom, we use text and exercises to provide the basis for education. In the outdoors, we use people and natural resources to teach how to directly apply the concepts and ideas learned in the classroom. Our Environmental Learning Centers are where participants will learn skills in the following areas: Forest Center Wildlife – introduce participants to the diversity of animals and insects native to our local environment through hands on activities and hikes throughout OEC property. Habitats and Animal traces – introduce participants to the animals in our area and finding their homes to talk about what they need to survive. Trees and Plants – identifying and learn about the native and non-native plants and the impact on the animals and the environment around us. Water: Aquatic Life – We will walk to near by streams and water to catch (and release) aquatic life to analyze, discuss, draw, and learn about. Watersheds - We will through experiential activities discuss and introduce participants to the concept of local and regional watersheds. Leave No Trace – provide participants with information about the principles of Leave No Trace by games, initiatives, drawing, and practicing the principles during all of our activities. Outdoor Living Skills – shows participants how to build shelters, build and maintain fires, cook and, in general, live outdoors through hands on activities. Orienteering – introduce participants to navigation and compass skills. Nature Hikes – using the natural resources around us, we will take walks and talk about (and sketch, journal) the trees, flowers, and living world around us.
Renewable Energy Center Weather Station & Wind Monitoring - introduce participants to basic concepts in wind power and weather concepts with the experiential use of meteorological equipment and onsite demonstration wind turbines. Solar power – Introduce participants to basic concepts in solar energy utilizing our onsite solar hot water heater and photovoltaic demonstration. Hydraulic – participants will be introduced to the concepts of hydro-power through activities involving water turbines. Native Plants and Organic Gardening Center Organic & Native Gardening – introduce participants to basic concepts in gardening, soil, and growth as well as organic growing and healthy possibilities through onsite gardens. Composting and Recycling Center Composting and Recycling – using our compost toilets and gardens as well as our recycling center we will show participants the value and importance in as well as the impact of using or not using these centers.
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"Leaders in the Making" Program Leaders in the Making seeks to provide youth with an opportunity to develop the skills needed to become confident and contributing members of the community through a variety of objectives, including environmental education and team building.
“Leaders in the Making” aptly describes our small group of vibrant and curious young people, ages 10-14, with whom we meet weekly at For Love of Children’s main office in Adams Morgan. Workshops focus primarily on reading, writing, leadership, community service, and Environmental Education. We present a new theme each month, which we then explore in the four-week period through a variety of ways, such as in-class discussions, field trips, guest speakers, and group projects. This spring’s themes included Healthy Living, The Creative Arts, and Exploring D.C. Our students have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in these topics through many avenues, including a kayaking field trip on the C & O Canal, a hands-on lesson on how to plan for and prepare a healthy meal, a trip to see an art exhibit produced by local teenagers, a visit to the International Spy Museum, and a chance to attend the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Pericles at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. Plans for this month include a debate on gentrification, FLOC’s year-end celebration and award ceremony, and our Leaders in the Making photojournalism art exhibit to which parents, staff, and friends are invited. After that, we’ll be gearing up for our 10-day trip this summer to the Outdoor Education Center in Harper’s Ferry – an adventure filled with backpacking, canoeing, hiking, sustainability, and teamwork in the wilderness of wild, wonderful, West Virginia!
In 2006-2007, LITM expanded to include West Virginia youth at the Charles Town Middle School where the program continues.
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Home About Us Contact Us Donate Jobs Directions 671 FLOC Way, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 (304) 725-0409 |
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Boardwalkers No matter how this activity is carried out, the challenge remains the same - people working together, synchronizing their movements as a team. The group has to develop their own method for maneuvering themselves and the boards from one point to another, or through a makeshift obstacle course. This activity is used to address the occurrence of breakdown - when a working technique suddenly falls apart because of a slight variation from the plan.
Mohawk Walk Above all else, this activity teaches a group to reach out to each other to give and receive support. Everyone works together to traverse a series of cables that extend from one tree to another to another. They must stay connected throughout the exercise and no one may touch the ground. The degree of difficulty of this activity can be raised or lowered to easily meet the needs of any group. This is also an excellent warm-up for the high ropes course.
Zip Line
The zip line begins with the platform high up in a poplar tree. The group member climbs
onto the zip line swing then steps off of the platform and into a 400-foot adrenaline pumping cable slide through the forest.
Giants Ladder
This is the other route to the platform. Two partners must work together
to climb the ladder because its rungs are 5 feet apart. The partners must
boost and pull one another each of the 50 feet to the top.
