Boojum Institute Helps At-Risk Youth

Taking advantage of a recent windfall in grant awards, the Boojum Institute for Experiential Education provided an outdoor education program in Joshua Tree National Park April 4 -7 for African immigrant youth which were referred by the Alliance for African Assistance, a San Diego-based social services agency.

Many of the high school age boys and girls who participated in the program are orphans and most have witnessed the killing of relatives and death by starvation and exposure of loved ones. They are part of the mass exodus of Africans seeking refuge from decades of draught, famine, political unrest and feudal tribal warfare which has afflicted their homelands. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 African refugees are living in San Diego County, having made the pilgrimage to a climate that is reminiscent of their native country and, in some cases, to reunite with existing family members living in the area. The mission of the Alliance for African Assistance is to assist refugees in the resettlement process through social, educational and cultural support, guiding them towards self-sufficiency and full integration within the San Diego community, while respecting their dignity as New Americans.

Boojum's four day program with the Alliance youth focused on team-building, conflict resolution, cross-cultural awareness training and communication skills. Twenty-nine students camped in the Park and spent two days hiking and exploring the natural wonders of the desert and one day rock climbing. The participants, who were from Somalia and Sudan, had never been camping or rock climbing, and few had ever ventured out of San Diego after arriving in the United States as war refugees.

The Boojum Institute, which was founded in 1975, uses experiential, adventure and environmental education as a foundation for programs which allow students to expand personal boundaries in safe, non-threatening settings. In 1997 Boojum provided over 60 programs for elementary, junior and senior high school student groups and two dozen programs for college and university student and faculty groups. Boojum uses outdoor classrooms such as Joshua Tree National Park, the South Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, and the Colorado River for its programs. Each year the Idyllwild School participates in Boojum programs, and, coincidentally, the sixth graders are in Joshua Tree this week on a three day outdoor education program with the Institute.

The program for the African students was a part of the Institute's "Up-Rising Program," which is specifically designed for at-risk youth and, unlike most of Boojum's programs which are fee-for-service, is supported by foundation grants. The Up-Rising Program uses a progressive curriculum geared toward breaking destructive patterns and creating hope and vision for participants by confronting the emotional, social, intellectual and physical roadblocks that impede students' progress. Themes such as cross-cultural awareness, racial and social prejudices, and healthy lifestyle choices are incorporated into the Program to increase the development of communication, decision making and problem solving skills and coping and confidence building strategies.

Since its creation by former Boojum Institute Director Dan Carey in 1993, Boojum has developed the Up-Rising Program in collaboration with a small number of committed partner organizations. In addition to the Alliance for African Assistance, Boojum presently works with youth referred through Alta Vista Alternative High School in San Diego, the Heart of Los Angeles Youth Center, the Los Angeles Police Department. This summer Boojum will begin working with the Coachella Valley Boys and Girls Club by hosting 26 students in Idyllwild for a week-long program.

The Up-Rising Program offers a comprehensive curriculum consisting of themes that allow students to expand their horizons, supervised through a high instructor to student ratio. Themes include cross-cultural experiences, expansion of cultural boundaries, prejudice reduction, interpersonal skill development, listening and feedback skills and methods for positive community involvement. Activities such as rock climbing, backpacking, tent camping and canoeing challenge students to work individually and as a cohesive group, leading to the emergence of self-confidence, personal responsibility and the commitment to be positive influences in their communities.

To date, the Up-Rising Program has worked with schools and community centers that provide services to students living in Southern California. The Boojum Institute has successfully provided over thirty Up-Rising Programs for over 450 students during the past five years. All of the Program participants are disadvantaged, at-risk youth and many are living in environments which are very complex and stressful. Low self-esteem, social problems, substance abuse and dysfunctional family backgrounds are common denominators.

Through activities that promote cooperation, sharing, listening skills, and critical thinking, students begin to recognize their individual value in the functioning of the larger group. Outdoor activities build character and allow individuals to maximize their own ability to meet the challenges of the adventure. By striving to meet challenges together, participants are pushed to their limits and form positive relationships which they are able to bring back to their home and school environments.

Boojum's specially trained staff take time to have debriefings periodically throughout each day to help students develop an awareness of the learning process. After a 50-foot rock climb, a gang member may be able to discuss his or her fear and the necessity of trusting someone else as the belayer. Students who are apprehensive about sleeping outside under the stars for the first time learn how to deal with new situations in an unfamiliar environment. Staff members act as guides to assist in the transference of emotions and knowledge experienced during the Program to situations that occur in students' school or home lives.

Thus far in 1998, three foundations have supported the Program, each with $50,000 grants. The $150,000 in grants from The JL Foundation, Parsons Foundation and CAP Charitable Foundation will enable Boojum to provide experiences like the recent Joshua Tree program for over 400 students this year. The recent success in receiving such substantial support is the result of over a year of researching funding sources and writing grants. Boojum's long-term goal is for a collaboration of foundations to make extended commitments of support for the Up-Rising Program, allowing the Institute to develop high quality course curricula and professional staff resources.

Chess Edwards, Boojum's newly appointed executive director, commented that the Institute plans to continue to work with the African students who attended the course in Joshua Tree. He stated that "On the course with the African students, it was very clear to me that we can make a real difference in these young people's lives by providing them with an opportunity to deal with important issues in an environment which is safe and supportive. We are committed to finding the financial and staff resources which will allow us to continue to do programs for these kids who really need and appreciate the chance to improve their own lives and the lives of others in their communities."

Note: The Up-Rising Program has been expanded and renamed the Adventure Challenge Program since this article was written.