Project VentureProject Venture

A project of:A project of:National Indian Youth Leadership ProjectNational Indian Youth Leadership Project

NIYLP MissionNIYLP Mission

– to nurture the potential of Native youth to create a more positive world

– through adventure-based learning

– through service to nature, community and family.

What is Project Venture? What is Project Venture?

• Native-developed program

• Guided by advice from Native Elders• Model Program (CSAP & NREPP)

• Most Effective Program for Native youth (CSAP High Risk Youth Study, 2002)

• Positive Youth Development approach

• Supported by Research

Project Venture brings together:Project Venture brings together:

• Outdoor, adventure activitiesRopes Course, rappelling, canoeing, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, etc.

• Service LearningMeaningful projects that are youth- centered and designed, address cultural, environmental and other community needs.

• Cultural and Native values based Leadership

Essential Elements of Project Essential Elements of Project VentureVenture

• Population– Middle school aged Native youth (grades 5-8)– High school aged service staff– Mix of risk levels

• Program ComponentsExperiential educationConnecting to the natural worldPhysical and emotional challengeService Learning

• Service LearningActive learningConnections to the academic themesSchool or community serviceCritical thinking and analysis skillsConnections to culture and language*Roots & ShootsCulturally based leadershipService ethic in tribal contextLanguage, history and valuesCross-cultural exchange and awarenessElder/intergenerational

Program DeliveryProgram Delivery

• Approximately 150 hours annually

• Four components of programmingIn schoolAfter schoolWeekendsSummer

In-School ComponentIn-School Component

EXPERIENTIAL

ACTIVITIES

- Ice Breakers

- Socialization

- Team Building

- Problem Solving

- Trust Building

- Skill Building

Builds on camp concepts, Prepares for higher level challenges1+ classroom sessions per week, 20+ classroom sessions per year

Out-of-School ComponentOut-of-School Component

EXPERIENTIAL

ACTIVITIES

- Team Building

- Problem Solving

- Skill Building

- Trust BuildingBuilds on in-school activities Increased challenge

1 or more afterschool sessions per week

Weekend Extended TripsWeekend Extended Trips

1 or more weekend activity per month

Extended trips/treks during school vacation breaks

Increased challenge/perceived risks

EXPERIENTIAL

ACTIVITIES

- High Ropes Course

- Hiking, Camping

- Rappelling, Biking

- Field Trips/Training

Summer Camps/TreksSummer Camps/Treks

• 4 to 8 days• Immersion experience• Introduce values,

norms• Introduce service

ethic, conduct projects• Introduce nutrition

principles• Introduce Journaling• Reconnect with natural

world• (Re)Connect with

spiritual awareness

Annual Leadership CampAnnual Leadership Camp

28 years; 1983-2010

Full Value CommitmentFull Value Commitment

Set of guidelines for how we interact with each other

- Be Here- Be Safe - Speak Your Truth- Set Goals- Let go and Move On

Native Cultural ValuesNative Cultural Values

• Activities tied to local cultural and spiritual traditions

• Intergenerational service projects

• Family activities, potlucks, dinners, etc.

• Elders as advisors, mentors

Service LearningService Learning• Youth-led• Meaningful• Service leadership ethic• Projects begin with

simple, move to complex

• Relationships emphasized

• Culturally relevant• Skill building• Reflection and dialogue

Evaluation Design:Evaluation Design:Pre/Post with Comparison GroupPre/Post with Comparison Group

INSTRUMENTS• American Drug & Alcohol

Survey• National Youth Survey • Resilience Scale (CHKS &

IPFI)• Locus of Control Survey• Strategies for Success

Survey (based on CSAP NOMS)

FINDINGS • Reduced

AlcoholMarijuanaCigarettesInhalantsIllicit drugs

• Increased Protective Factors:Locus of ControlResilience Factors

Major FindingsMajor Findings• Project Venture

reduces ATOD risk factors and increases protective factors

• Project Venture cited as MOST EFFECTIVE prevention program for Native youth in CSAP’s National Cross-Site Study of High Risk Youth Demonstration Projects (Springer & Sambrano, 2002)

High Risk Youth StudyHigh Risk Youth Study

The National High Risk Youth Cross-Site Study (HRY) there are eight components that the most effective prevention programs for youth share. According to Dr. Fred Springer, Director of the National High Risk Youth Cross Site Study,

Project Venture is the only prevention program that includes components and practices for all eight factors.

 

Readiness AssessmentReadiness Assessment• Leadership• Expertise• Funding• Partnerships• Impact Potential

Support LevelsSupport Levels

Supports by level

No support Low support Moderate support High support

Leadership coaching

• 1 hour of phone support

• 3 hours of phone support

• 4-6 hours of phone support

• 1 site visit

• Phone support as needed

• 1-2 site visits

Startup training

• Informational materials sent via mail/email

• Informational materials sent via

• Site may visit NIYLP

• NIYLP may visit site only if site pays

• Full training materials sent via mail/email

• 1 site visit

• Site may visit NIYLP

• Full training materials sent via mail/email

• 1-2 site visits

• Site may visit NIYLP

Post-launch support

• N/A • N/A • 4-6 hours of phone support

• Site may visit NIYLP

• Phone support as needed

• 1 follow-up site visit

• Site may visit NIYLP

Fundraising support

• N/A • N/A • Email sent to sites suggesting potential funding sources

• NIYLP helps sites identify potential funding sources

• NIYLP supports grant-writing

Evaluation support

• N/A • N/A • NIYLP assists site in selecting local evaluator

• NIYLP assists site in selection or provides eval services directly

Back-office support

• N/A • N/A • NIYLP supports sites via local support offices

• NIYLP supports sites via local support offices

Not yet ready to implement

Nearly ready to implement

Ready for sustainability

Fully ready to implement

SummarySummary

PV Program Name:  Location:Key contact:  

CriteriaTotal scaled

scoreMinimum threshold

Meets minimum

threshold? Overall assessmentAlignment with non-negotiables

- 3.0 No 

Leadership - 2.0 No 

Expertise - 2.0 No 

Partners - 2.0 No 

Funding - 2.0 No 

Impact potential - 2.0 No

 

Non-negotiable(s) unmet?

Fully ready to implement

Ready for sustainability

Nearly ready to implement

Not yet ready to implement

Readiness / capability

Not yet ready to implement

Not yet ready to implement

Not yet ready to implement

Nearly ready to implement

Nearly ready to implement

Typical 2 Day TrainingTypical 2 Day Training

• Intro to session, Overview of PV

• Expectations for the training

• Visioning: What you hope to see in the coming year

• Full Value Commitment

• Categories of activities, practice

• Environmental/community Scan

• Year long plan