Teen Programs  
After School Lot Whitcomb Elementary
The YMCA has partnered with Metropolitan Family Service to provide after-school programming for Lot Whitcomb Elementary. Metropolitan Family Service has coordinated the efforts of partners including: Clackamas YMCA, Overland Park Coalition Against Drug Crime, North Clackamas Family Support Center, Clackamas County Youth Gang Task Force, Chess for Success, Thompson Road Bible Fellowship, Stand for Children, Catholic Charities and the Clackamas County DA’s office.  Each partner will provide a crucial role in implementing various aspects of the program.
  
The Clackamas YMCA facilitates a girls group and a boys group program four times a week for a 10-week session. The sessions are repeated three times per school year. Ten – twenty  fourth – sixth graders will participate each session during the school year. The groups combine physical activity with an educational intervention that focuses on character development and social skills.

The boys and girls learn how to cope with circumstances, how to change behaviors that threaten their well-being, and how to embrace a physically active lifestyle. The activities focus on helping them understand various pressures they face and how to make healthy choices for their body and mind. Topics include: leadership, body image, diversity and tolerance, smoking, self-esteem, nutrition, bullies and family.

After School Rowe Middle School
YMCA Adventure Club is a leadership development program for youth ages 11 – 14 for students at Rowe Middle School in Milwaukie. It is comprised of a group of up to 13 youth who meet with supportive adults to identify community issues and create action plans. The focus is on service learning, community involvement and leadership. Youth commit to a schedule of several meetings per week for a 9-week session run three times per year. We run 2 groups simultaneously serving about 25 students per week at no charge to the students. 

The purpose of the YMCA Adventure Club program is to enhance youth learning in the areas of community service and involvement by engaging youth in community issues and education. Over the course of the 9-week session staff engage the youth in: Character development activities and games, search for areas they can get involved in the community, plan and implement service projects, participate in at least one off site field trip each week, attend at least one leadership retreat and plan and participate in the end of the session showcase.

Statistics
“Compared to students who spent one to four hours in school-sponsored, after school activities, students who reported spending no time in such activities were 57 percent more likely to have dropped out before reaching the 12th grade.” – National Research Council

“Students with a high level of participation in after school programs are less likely than non-participants to engage in risky behavior, such as taking drugs, engaging in sex, smoking, drinking and being arrested. “ – National Research Council

Through meeting new friends, having positive peer interactions and building relationships with caring adults, youth are constructively using their time. Youth are building social competencies, both interpersonal and cultural competence through interaction with peers from different cultural, racial and economic backgrounds. The support of other adult relationships in a caring school climate give youth the opportunity to resolve conflicts peacefully reinforced by consistent boundaries and expectations.

For information about Clackamas Family YMCA teen programs please contact us at 503.654.7950 or ahall@ymca-portland.org.