Adventure Learning Center

Are you a parent of one of the 69 percent of teens you have been abused after being sexually involved with a partner? Now with advanced technology (cell phones, IM, social networks), individuals are not being faced with physical abuse alone.

According to experts, programs are needed to help parents and their kids recognize unhealthy relationships and stop them before they are started. With the help of Polk County Coalition for Adolescents Pregnancy Prevention grant, the Adventure Learning Center (ALC) is offering individuals to become part of the Challenge for Healthy Relationships (CHR) program in order to establish positive relationships.

“The Challenge for Healthy Relationships and portable challenges provided by the Adventure Learning Center has done wonders for my middle school girls group. The girls are learning to trust themselves and each other. The girls are learning to respect and value one another’s differences. Their confidence is soaring and this program has helped my group immensely. Thanks to Melissa and the team at the Adventure Learning Center!!”

Using Adventure based education to explore relationship topics and promote inner personal skills is what the CHR program does while also developing the positive relationships with peers, partners, and adults. With each of the activities, individuals will be able to relate to what they have experienced. “It gives them a chance to talk with others about what they need, within a comfortable environment,” stated Beth Mensing.

Being active and feeling confident with others is when students realize what they can do to have a positive and healthy relationship. “When students become active, they are more comfortable talking about relationships and ideas, then just sitting in a group and talking,” stated Corinne Lambert.

The program is held by trained and professional facilitators, with each group going through a variation of ice-breakers, cooperative games and problem solving initiatives. Together the group will process the activities around the relationship themes including trust, communication, sexuality and healthy choices.

For more information or to request a group application, please contact Melissa O’Neil, Challenge Course Coordinator, at the Adventure Learning Center at: (515) 261-4224 or at moneil@iastate.edu.