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Team Quest Helps Youth at-Risk
Since 2001, Friendship Ventures has offered a Team Quest Challenge Course program to a slightly different population. The Leadership Involving New Connections (LINC) Program helps youth at-risk learn to work together, make positive choices and choose productive methods of dealing with frustration.
These boys and girls ages 11-18, are sometimes court sentenced to the program or recommended by their social workers or probation officer. Friendship Ventures has served groups from Carver and Scott Counties, Lutheran Social Services and several schools.
Many teens in this population have emotional, behavioral or learning disorders. “Years ago these kids may have been served by Friendship Ventures resident camp programs,” noted Georgann Rumsey, President and CEO of Friendship Ventures. “Certainly times have changed and we have developed a more effective means of helping and supporting these kids.”
The youth participate in a seven-week progressive program. The specific challenge course events and sequence used is tailored to meet the needs of each group.
According to Troy Schrupp, Director of Adventure Programs for Friendship Ventures, creating teamwork is a goal of the program. “We started this program because we felt that youth were better served through community building than community service. They learn what it’s like to be in a community, work with others and accomplish positive tasks,” Schrupp explained.
In five years, more than 300 teens have completed the program. They have worked with their group to complete challenges such as Cable Walk, Spider’s Web, Railroad Bridge and the Cargo Net. The activities are more than just fun and games. They build respect, reliance and trust – giving valuable tools for kids to use in their day-to-day lives.
Friendship Ventures is a non-profit agency that creates unique educational, recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. We also offer conference and retreat services and professional team-building programs to the communities we serve. Friendship Ventures operates Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN and Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, MN.