Adventure-Based Learning

FOCUS is an adventure-based, experiential education program that students engage in all year long. The program is built on a progression of life skill development. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding Our Community, Understanding Self) will help students enhance the development of these key life skills and incorporate them into their everyday lives in and out of the classroom.

F.O.C.U.S. through Adventure runs under the auspices of Sweetser and located in Saco, ME. The Director is Donna Murray. The FOCUS Program is one of many programs that are offered through F.O.C.U.S. through Adventure.

The FOCUS Program will provide a unique opportunity for students to work in small groups to help develop key skills they will need for the rest of their lives.

Key Skills Developed with Experiential Education:

• Building Healthy Relationships
• Effective Communication
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Conflict Resolution
• Trust
• Respect
• Self-Awareness
• Leadership
• Social Responsibility
• Goal Setting
  

Year-Round, Holistic Approach

Teachers, Guidance Counselors, and "F.O.C.U.S. Through Adventure" Staff will partner to facilitate activities that the students will take part in. Each group will meet minimally once a month for about an hour to take part in a variety of initiatives. In addition to these meetings, there will also be 3 day-long experiences. The winter Expedition will occur at the School and the other two will take place at the Challenge Course at Sweetser’s School in Saco. Here, they will engage in initiatives that will both challenge themselves and their classmates, as well as work on the aforementioned life skills.

Calendar At A Glance

• Classroom-based
  Twice a month, students will meet with their FOCUS groups to do collaborative initiatives focused on Life Process Skills.
  
  
• Fall
  Low Elements at the ropes course. The day will focus on trust, effective communication skills, problem solving and decision-making.
  
  
• Winter
  Focus Facilitators will team up with teachers for a day of Winter Expeditions such as Everest and Iditarod, to name a few. The day will focus on leadership, goal setting and communication.
  
  
• Spring
  High Elements at the ropes course. Students will have an opportunity to climb and support their classmates. The day will focus on self awareness, trust, and healthy choices/risk taking.
  
  

Contacting FOCUS

The FOCUS adventure-based learning program provides a unique opportunity for students to work in small groups and develop key life-long skills. More information on FOCUS.

For more info or Ropes Course reservations, please contact:
Donna Murray, Director
207-294-4929
dmurray@sweetser.org