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Mentoring In The Outdoors
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Mission Statement: |
To create a safe, challenging, fun and supportive container in which to mentor and challenge boys physically, intellectually and emotionally in order to help them grow further into their unique gifts, their young adulthood and a healthy and generative sense of masculinity.
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Program Description:
We will create a context using the hero’s journey in which each boy can see his life as dynamic adventure in service to something larger and greater than just him. We’ll use story, counsel, coaching, praise, challenge, feedback and mirroring to support each boy on his journey. All experiences will be embedded in outdoor adventure activities and hands-on learning experiences.
In this groundbreaking program boys will be a part of a co-created community that will reflect the collective strengths, talents, skills, and life experiences of the participants and mentors. The participants will have opportunities to try new things, to hear and experience new perspectives, to be heard for their unique perspective, and to be seen and witnessed by strong male mentors and their peers.
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Below is a list of Outdoor and Life Skills that will be focused upon during the 10 weeks. It is by no means a full list, as we will always adapt to the passion of the participants, as well as the emergent dynamics of the group and growth areas identified by the mentors.
| Outdoor Skills |
Canoeing, Kayaking, Animal Tracking, Caving, Rock Climbing, Fire Through Friction, Camp-craft, Knife Safety & Carving, Edible Plants, Shelter Building, Awareness Skills, Knot Tying, Map & Compass and more |
| Life Skills |
Developing Personal Leadership Styles, Conflict Resolution, Communicating Effectively, Personal Responsibility & Accountability, Cooperating as a Team Player, Critical Thinking, Setting Healthy Boundaries, Community Service, and More! |
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Program Schedule:
Sunday Sep 27 |
Teambuilding & Program Orientation |
Sunday Oct 4 |
Kayaking on the Connecticut River to Second Island - Bald Eagles Nest |
Sunday Oct 11 |
Caving at the Ward Gregory Cave in New York
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Sunday Oct 18 |
Fall Foliage Canoeing on Tully Lake and the Tully River
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Sunday Oct 24 |
Rock Climbing at Chapel Ledges in Ashfield, MA
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| Oct 31 & Nov 1 |
Halloweek Camping Trip in the WEndell State Forest
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| Sunday Nov 8 |
Mount Monadnock Hike - Southern New Hampshire
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| Sunday Nov 15 |
Map & Compass Hike in the Quabbin Reservoir
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| Sunday Nov 22 |
Mammal Tracking at the Quabbin Reservoir
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| Sunday Nov 29 |
Caving at Farley Cave and Honoring Ceremony around Fire
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These activities are the core of the day, though we will be weaving in other outdoor skills and teachable moments as we move across the landscape.
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| Times and Transportation |
Each Sunday field trip will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
Transportation (15 passenger van) will be provided from the Adventure In Adventure Out office: 49 South Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA.
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| Program Cost: |
Total Cost: $950
Deposit of 50% due upon registration
Balance Due on October 20th
Make checks payable to Adventure In Adventure Out |
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Who are the Mentors?
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James McNaughton |
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• Graduated from Greenfield Community College’s Outdoor Leadership Program in 1995
• Founded Adventure In Adventure Out in 1996 and has been working with youth in the outdoors since that time.
• Attended The Art of Mentoring with the Wilderness Awareness School 3 times and participated as a staff member on the 3rd time.
• Founded and published a local quarterly periodical called “The Outsider – Guide to the Outdoors in Western and Central Massachusetts” 6 issues were printed and distributed across the Pioneer Valley and beyond
• Wrote a weekly column in 4 local papers called “the Great Outdoors” for 2 ½ years from 1997 to 1999.
• Co-Founded a consulting firm called Organizational Growth Consulting in 2004 and sold his share in 2007. He still works for the firm on occasion.
• Initiated as a New Warrior in 2002 and continues as a member of an ongoing men’s group
• Participated in a 9 month men’s program called the Mythic Warrior in 2004 and went on to intern and then staff two more cycles of the program
• Graduated from the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching in 2008 as an Integrative Life Coach
• Lives with his partner Gayle in Shutesbury, MA. along with his 2 cats
• Loves to; run on winding trails, hike, paddle, cave, play racquetball, read voraciously, listen to all sorts of music, explore the woods, track, sit by a roaring fire, peruse maps, and eat good food.
• Believes in; personal responsibility, focusing on solutions and not problems, aligning with one’s passions and strengths, developing a connection with the natural world as a means to find one’s center and source, helping other’s to find and express their gifts, bringing people with different talents to create something that is beautiful, the notion that “knowing” is the booby prize and
learning is where the treasures lie. |
Frank Grindrod |
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• Began Martial Arts training in 1979 and received black belt status and began teaching in 1997 in the Pioneer Valley. Has continued his training throughout Northeast, southern Georgia and also on the west coast. His teacher, Greg Kowalski 8th degree Shidoshi is a personal student of Grandmaster
Hatsumi and trained in Japan before starting a school in US.
• Spent 4 consecutive years with Hawk Circle Wilderness Rites of Passage program and continues to be involved with Community events and enrichment
• Assistant Instructor and Volunteer staff with Tom Brown’s Nature & Wilderness Survival School, Asbury, NJ, 1997-2005
• Graduated from Greenfield Community College’s Outdoor Leadership Program in 1997
• Founded Earthwork Programs 1999, offering ongoing Nature Awareness and Wilderness Skills programs locally for adults, families, children and home schooling youth.
• Introduced to the Art of Mentoring program in 1999 with the Wilderness Awareness school and have been in many different roles from participant, Mentor for Teenage boys Rite of passage, Shield specialist, trainer and liaison for respected Native American and non native Elders.
• Instructor/Counselor for Homeward Bound forestry camp. This is a 26-day residential wilderness therapeutic program for court-referred high-risk youth. Led daily activities in adventure education. Responsible for safety, and 24-hour supervision, including suicide watches. Assisted in training and
evaluation of assistant instructor.1994-1995
• Wilderness Instructor at Academy and Swift River, therapeutic boarding school for adolescent young men and women. 1998 - 1999.
• Initiated as a New Warrior in 2002 and continues as a member of an ongoing men’s group
• As a Nurtured Heart Approach Facilitator he has trained with National trainers Gabrielle Lachiara, LSW and Howard Glasser, MA. Frank began NHA in 2007. Since that time he has attended and facilitated over ten program series and spent a week intensive with the founder. In 2008
Earthwork became an official NHA school incorporating this approach. As a dedicated father, he is committed to supporting families and educators through long term mentoring, encouraging all to see their and others greatness within.
• Lives with Fiancé’ Arianna and Daughter Maya in Ashfield MA along with 1 indoor cat.
• Loves to spend time with family playing, hiking, camping , exploring and last year brought Maya on a trip paddling the Everglades “a life changing experience.”
• Believes in; Personal integrity, The power of “Choice”, focusing on and seeing the greatness that is innate in others and the natural world, there being a tremendous need for mentors as it takes a village to raise a child, nature having the power to transform lives. |
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