| October 23, 2008 | 717.943.5414 |
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FAQS Home | Teens | Parents | Contact Us
What
is GO WEST!!! USA?
GO WEST!!! USA is devoted to providing
significant mentoring during wilderness expeditions for teens.
We combine many of the elements of a mentoring program with an outdoor
wilderness expedition designed specifically for under-resourced youth.
The GO WEST!!! USA summer program is a 21-day expedition. Where
are your expeditions?
GO WEST!!! USA is based in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Our
expeditions take us across the country from coast to coast.
While each expedition has a similar basic schedule, the teens are responsible
for planning the details of the expedition. When are your
expeditions?
The focus of the GO WEST!!!
USA experience is a 21-day expedition that takes place in June, July, and August.
This summer, our first of three expeditions departs in the beginning of
June (date to be announced).
How
many teens take part on each expedition?
A maximum of ten teens are
supervised by at least two adults. All
members of the team travel in our customized van, which is driven only by the
adult volunteers. How
old are the participants?
Teens chosen for GO WEST!!!
USA expeditions are between the ages of 13 and 18. Other aged teens are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years old. Are
GO WEST!!! USA expeditions co-ed?
The uniqueness of our
program is the diversity of our participants.
At GO WEST!!! USA we stress the value of communication, especially
between different genders. As
maturing adults, these young men and women must learn to communicate with
respect for each other in a real world setting.
The teens are not permitted to share sleeping quarters with the opposite
gender. Where
do your volunteers come from?
The GO WEST!!! USA program
is designed to send teens and volunteers local to the Harrisburg area.
This model allows for the most pre and post expedition interaction, and the
possibility of an ongoing relationship between the teens and volunteer role
models. What
kind of backgrounds do your volunteers have?
Our volunteers come from
all walks of life and are dedicated individuals who have a vested interest in
helping at-risk youth gain a new perspective.
All adults fill out a questionnaire regarding their experience in the
outdoors and working with youth. We
also conduct personal interviews and criminal background checks with all of our
volunteers. How
are teens selected to go on a expedition?
The teens are identified by
various organizations or word of mouth as meeting the criteria of GO WEST!!!
USA. These criteria include, but
are not limited to the teens being: between the ages of 13 and 18; desirous of
attending the expedition; deserving of such an opportunity by showing responsibility
and respect for themselves and others; free from health problems that would
complicate their participation in a rigorous hike; financially unable to
participate in similar activities on their own; emotionally, behaviorally and
psychologically stable enough not to pose a threat to themselves or others while
on the expedition. Why
send teens on such a expedition?
A GO WEST!!! USA experience
combines the innate teaching ability of the natural world, with caring adults to
provide a potentially life-changing experience for teens who may not have had
access to either ever before. GO
WEST!!! USA provides an experience for teens that positively impacts their
beliefs with regard to age/ethnic/gender diversity, self-esteem, environmental
awareness, and interpersonal relationships.
As a result of the exposure and relationships formed with adult volunteer
role models, these teens become better equipped to make critical career,
educational and healthy lifestyle decisions. Are the
expeditions
safe?
Safety is one of GO WEST!!!
USA’s primary concerns. We have
had no injuries more severe than scrapes or bruises and no illness worse than
headaches and homesickness. All
volunteers are Certified in CPR and First Aid, making them capable of making decisions in
the event of an emergency. Each expedition
is briefed on GO WEST!!! USA safety procedures, and our trails have been
scouted ahead of time either by GO WEST!!! USA staff or NPS Rangers to ensure they can be hiked by less experienced
participants. How hard will
it be?
GO WEST!!! USA expeditions
are physically and emotionally challenging for both teens and adults.
Each day provides new situations and obstacles ranging from weather to
elevation, to being away from everything familiar.
Backpacking tests everyone’s physical limits, and usually pushes them
past whatever limits they thought they we capable of; however, each night’s rest brings exuberance for the achievements of
that day, and everyone agrees that it was worth the pain and frustration. How much does it cost to go on an expedition?GO WEST!!! USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making this type of experience available to as many youth as possible. In order to accomplish this goal, participants must be involved with GO WEST!!! USA weeks before our actual departure date. Teens are required to participate in fundraisers and to help raise funds on their own. The costs of the expeditions are a little over $2500 per teen, and there are scholarships available, so no deserving young person will ever be turned away. What
do the teens have to bring with them?
Each teen is responsible
for bringing their own personal care items, as well as basic clothing for hiking
and travel. GO WEST!!! USA will
provide the majority of items specific to backpacking with the exception of
hiking boots and a pillow. GO WEST!!! USA will
provide all materials necessary for cooking and camping. What
happens on each day of the expedition?
Each GO WEST!!! USA has
roughly the same itinerary. The expeditions are unique in their details, but there is a timeline followed by each GO
WEST!!! USA team. Below is an
example of a typical day on a GO WEST!!! USA expedition. Typical Daily Itinerary 7:00 Rise / Camp Clean Home | Teens | Parents | Sponsors | Contact Us
Learn
more about the parks we visit!
GO
WEST!!! USA info@gowestusa.org "A Congressional District Program" |
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