The Department of Education is offering up to $400,000 per year to expand school counseling programs.

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program

Proposal Deadline: February 26, 2010

Likely number of grants: 44

Size of grants: $150,000-$400,000 (up to three years)

Join us for a teleconference on Wednesday, February 10th at 3:30 pm E.S.T. to learn more about the grant and application process. To register, email cmeeker@pa.org or call 978-524-4662.

Important Things to Know:

1. This grant program provides funding to school districts to establish or expand elementary and/or secondary school counseling programs.

2. Any school district that does not have an active school counseling grant from the US Department of Education can submit an application

3. Charter schools that are considered a school district under state law are eligible for this grant.

4. This grant may be able to support your school counselors in attending PA Social and Emotional Learning themed workshops, or assist with implementation of a Building Respectful Learning Communities model.

Not sure if the grant is right for you? Call us at 978-524-4500 or email info@pa.org to speak to a PA representative.

ACCT 20th Annual International Challenge Course Symposium and Conference

Join us for a great learning and networking event! Stop by the booth and get your free PA coaster!

At ACCT, you will:

• have the opportunity to learn new activities and games
• have the opportunity to learn about the hardware we use and understand it better
• have the opportunity to expand processing skills
• have the opportunity to discuss best administrative practices
• have the opportunity to expand professional network so you have more people to contact when a specific issue arises at work
• understand more about the industry and new developments
• have the opportunity to learn about the ACCT standards and ask questions
• have the opportunity to look at new items such as books and gear on display in the exhibit hall
• return refreshed by an opportunity to connect with others who understand exactly what you do, and who can relate to your joys and challenges
• be part of the largest gathering of challenge course professionals in the world today
• have the opportunity to meet others who do what you do, and discuss issues such as selling to clients, keeping programs fresh, and expanding offerings
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Silver Bullets: A Guide to Initiative Problems, Adventure Games & Trust Activities by Karl Rohnke & Project Adventure, Inc. has been a classic in the adventure field for more than 25 years. The 25th Anniversary, 2nd Edition with new activities and revised classics has just been released.

For a limited time, PA is offering an author-autographed copy of the original Silver Bullets containing over 160 timeless adaptable activities, along with a copy of the new 25th Anniversary, 2nd Edition.

The 2nd Edition of Silver Bullets brings time-tested wisdom to the problems, games and initiatives along with the inclusion of new activities that speak directly to contemporary adventurers. The activities have been implemented and proven to improve self-concept, enhance the ability of members to take risks, and strengthen the willingness of group members to cooperate and work well together.

A variety of audiences from teachers, counselors, therapists, camp directors and church leaders, to name a few, have effectively used the activities to bring people together, to build trust and enhance communication. From whatever age, these “Silver Bullets” can make a difference in your program and the people with whom you work.

www.pa.org/store/publications.php

Introducing Stepping Stones: A Therapeutic Adventure Activity Guide and PACK Bag

We are now releasing the newest in our adventure-in-a-bag series. The Stepping Stones PACK bag is designed specifically for treatment agencies, recreation therapists, juvenile justice programs and anyone who works with vulnerable and at-risk-youth.

The PACK includes unique PA props and equipment, as well as a stash of favorites. You'll be able to do more than 100 activities with group sizes of up to 15 participants. The PACK also comes with one copy of Stepping Stones: A Therapeutic Adventure Activity Guide.

The Stepping Stones Therapeutic Activity Guide was developed specifically to support programs and practitioners who seek to remediate or increase social skills, improve behaviors, support recovery from mental health issues and support students who have been unsuccessful in traditional educational settings.

These new items are available at the PA Store!

www.pa.org/store

Thanks to Mary Constant, of Fort Bend ISD for sharing presentation and evaluation information that they have collected to support the use of Ropes and Challenge Courses in schools.

Packet 1

Packet 2

The Ropes Discussion List is a service of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and OnBelay, LLC.

Subscription options are available via the web at http://www.ropesonline.org/list/

Published in 1995,  this appears to be the most current and comprehensive study of its kind in the Challenge Course field.

8.28.07   Send a letter to your senator or representative and cc Gov. Patrick re:

H.4206   Act Regulating Challenge Course and Climbing Wall Facilities.  Sample letter 

New forms:

Click CA Standards to see our easy to read rubric and how our curriculum aligns with CA Standards.

The Department of Public Safety issued a memo to us on March 26 that states the following:

"The final regulations pertaining to Challenge Courses and Climbing Wall Facilities have been submitted to the Secretary of State's Office for publication. As the Department previously stated, our goal has been to promulgate regulations pertaining to Challenge Courses and Climbing Walls in early 2007 with the intent to begin enforcement with the 2007-2008 school year. Consistent with that goal, the new regulations as included in 520 CMR 5.00 et. seq., and specifically 520 CMR 5.14 and 5.15, are expected to be published on April 6, 2007 in the Massachusetts Register, #1075.They may be viewed now at the Department's website, www.mass.gov/dps/.

Enforcement of the regulations pertaining to challenge courses and climbing wall facilities will begin on September 1, 2007 to give owners time to come up to speed with the provisions contained within the regs. The intent of this delay in enforcement is to provide adequate time for implementation and training. This explicit provision may be found at 5.14(1)(b) (challenge courses) and 5.15(1)(b) (climbing wall facilities), respectively."

You only need to read the definitions that relate to Challenge Courses found in Section 5.01 http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dps/inf/520cmr_5.00_amusement_final.pdfand  the Challenge Course Regulations found near the end of the document in Section 5.14. Note that Climbing Wall Facilities (see the definition for this term in Section 5.01) have a separate section following the Challenge Course section. If you have a climbing wall as part of your Challenge Course, you are defined as having a Challenge Course for the purpose of the regulations. Please continue to monitor the Department of Public Safety's web site for updates.