Youth Retreat A Success
by Flo Jackson
The Anoka County CTIC sponsored
a Youth Retreat for students with disabilities from across the county
on November 30, 2004. There were 50 students who attended the event.
They represented the following school districts: Anoka Hennepin, Fridley,
Columbia Heights, Centennial, Spring Lake Park and St. Francis. A variety
of disability areas were represented.
The youth gathered at the Bunker Hills Activity Center around 8:30
in the morning and following registration were invited to enjoy a Continental
Breakfast planned by the Fridley Transition Program. The youth had
an opportunity to get acquainted and visit while they waited for the
program to begin. Those who attended were led in team-building activities
by the St. Croix YMCA Camp staff. The activities began with a large
group, get-acquainted activities and then followed with the 50 youth
being divided into three groups for more fun and team building. The
youth were challenged with problem solving activities and trust building
activities. Sometimes they worked as a group and other times they were
asked to work with a partner. The youth had a great time and developed
new friendships and learned that they could work with strangers.
At noon the students
were treated to a pizza lunch from Figaros Pizza in Andover. During
the lunchtime they received door prizes which were provided by
Lexington- Cub Store, Circle Pines Wal-Mart, Centennial Hire Learning,
Circle Pines Applebees, Connexus Energy, Wendy’s,
Centennial School District staff and Spring Lake Park Life Skills staffs.
The day ended with the continuation of small group and large group
activities. The students and adults attending gave the day a very positive “Thumbs
Up.”
A large group of volunteers
assisted with this event. They represent the school districts,
Anoka County DD Unit, Workforce Center, Rehabilitation Services
and CTIC members. The CTIC’s
Navigating the Maze Committee planned the event and they are looking
at the holding future events for students with disabilities in the
county.
Check out this related article
in the Young Writer's Corner:
My Experience At The CTIC
Youth Retreat
