The Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program was created to provide an engaging summer experience for adolescents with unique needs. We believe that summer can be a time of social growth and our goal is to help students improve social skills and self-esteem through an array of activities in a small group setting. Building upon our summer program, we also provide activity-based social skills groups throughout the year.
Overview:
The Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program offers a unique summer day program where teenagers are able to gain social skills, friendships and self-esteem in a fun and enriching environment. Each month-long session provides an opportunity for students to gain social skills while participating in fun experiential activities on Ryther Child Center's challenge course. Students also gain pride and new skills while engaging in a local stream restoration/trail building project. Hiking trips, indoor rock climbing, hands-on ecosystems lessons and field trips to local attractions such as the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium are also important components of the program. Our program is nationally accredited to assure the highest standards.
Student Profile:
The Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program is a co-ed program designed to serve adolescents, ages 13-17, from the Seattle/Bellevue area. Students in the program often have experienced social challenges and may have diagnoses such as Aspergers Syndrome, ADD/ADHD and High-Functioning Autism. Student/Staff ratio is no greater than 4:1. Program counselors have extensive experience working with high-needs adolescents. The registration process includes in-person screening and assessment. The program is not designed to serve students with aggressive behavior.
Parent Support:
Parents of R.O.L.P. students attend weekly parent groups, facilitated by our program parent coach. The groups are an opportunity to discuss concrete strategies for parenting high-needs adolescents. Supervision for program students (and siblings) will be available during this time.
Alumni Events:
Friendships that have been built in the Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program will be fostered throughout the year through planned alumni events.
Location:
The program is based at Ryther Child Center in the Wedgewood neighborhood in Northeast Seattle. Program activities will take place on campus, at the Thorton Creek project site and on field trips throughout the area.
Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program sessions, summer 2008: Session I: July 7-July 31 Session II: August 4-August 28
New this year! Based on parent demand, we will now be offering two sessions specially designed for younger students! Introducing "R.O.L.P. Explorers" for students aged 10-12.
Session I: July 21-July 31
Session II: August 4-August 14
The Ryther Outdoor Leadership Program runs Mondays-Thursdays from 9:30am-3:30pm.
For brochures, registration packets or further questions: Contact Benjamin Wahl, MSW, Program Coordinator at (206) 517-0222 or benw@ryther.org.
Official enrollment begins March 12, 2008.
