C.O.R.E. (Combining Outreach Recreation and Education) is an outdoor adventure program which utilizes a value based curriculum to provide at risk youth, otherwise unobtainable experiences and opportunities for personal growth.
In connection with teaching the skills of various outdoor activities, the C.O.R.E. curriculum is designed to promote positive self-esteem, guide the youth to make positive choices and practice self-responsibility, educate youth about their environment, and help build connectedness with peers, adult mentors, and their community.
In conjunction with school counselors, teachers, and other school administrators, twenty 8th grade students (5 from each of the 4 middle schools in the
The C.O.R.E. curriculum focuses on one of our five values each day of each activity. These values are: Responsibility, Respect, Trust, Caring, and Citizenship. Each morning begins with a group discussion of the value of the day, soliciting both definitions as well as examples from the youth. Each C.O.R.E. group leader serves as a mentor, reinforcing the daily value while guiding the youth through the activity. We finish the day by coming together as a group to reflect on how the value was utilized throughout the day, as well as discussing how the students may use this value in different situations in their everyday lives.
The fifth day of each activity is a designated "reflection day." At the end of this day, each student is recognized by the C.O.R.E. leaders for their accomplishments. The students also use this time to express their feelings regarding their experiences for the past five days.
Working with the students "off the mountain" is an essential part of the C.O.R.E. curriculum. This helps us to relate what the students learn in the outdoors and connect it to their everyday lives back home. C.O.R.E. leaders will meet with the students once a week during the school year for two hours to lead them in experiential group activities designed to build self-esteem, self-discovery, teamwork, and a a variety of coping skills.
Another important aspect of the program is that students participate in a fundraising event as a way of asking the community to recognize and support the program. This activity reinforces for the students that the community is invested in them. They also participate in three community outreach projects as a way of giving back to the community for supporting them in their endeavors with C.O.R.E.

