Youth Frontiers Student Programs

Youth Frontiers is a nonprofit organization that partners with schools to create more positive school communities. Through programs that help young people realize the importance of living a life of character, Youth Frontiers is transforming the day-to-day experience in schools across America so that our schools - and therefore our kids - can thrive. Last year, YF delivered 664 retreats and worked with nearly 100,000 students and educators.

Select one of the programs listed above to learn more about student retreats.

New! The Youth Frontiers Responsibility Retreat

The Youth Frontiers Responsibility Retreat is a unique opportunity to set the tone for leadership in your school. This program challenges a select group of Juniors to examine their daily choices, reflect on their leadership role, as well as giving them time to prepare for the challenges ahead as they become Seniors. It inspires your students to step up and take responsibility for a culture of respect in their school and recognize not only who they are, but what they can become.

What the YF Responsibility Retreat Will Do For Your School:

• Challenge the Juniors in your school to be positive leaders as Seniors
• Set the tone for what you expect of the leaders in your school
• Give the leaders in your school much-deserved time to prepare them for the challenges ahead

Honor Retreat • Educators and School Staff

For our schools and communities to thrive, the teaching profession needs to be held in the highest esteem. At Youth Frontiers, our vision is to honor educators for the critical work they do with young people every day.

Led by engaging facilitators with decades of experience working with schools, the Youth Frontiers Honor Retreat helps support educators' primary academic mission by engaging staff in activities that build community and transform your staff into a cohesive team, focused in a common direction.

In a day designed to create professional collaboration among your staff, this retreat will help your staff clarify their purpose within the school community and gain a greater appreciation for the value of their work and the work of their colleagues.

More Than Smart • Parents/Guardians of Students

Joe Cavanaugh, Founder & CEO of Youth Frontiers, Inc. will share with parents the critical importance of character in the development of young people to be both smart and good. For over 30 years, Joe has been working with young people in schools - because if character decreases, disrespect in schools increases. In this presentation, Joe will share with parents the important work that Youth Frontiers is doing to help young people in the development of their character. Parents will also leave knowing more about four values that are vital for young people and how parents can implement these values more into their children's lives. Joe will pass along simple strategies and tips for parents in the most critical job of their lives: raising kids that are more than smart.

Interested in learning more?

Check out Youth Frontiers' Recommended Resources for Parents to find out information about worthwhile websites and books.

Research and Testimonials

Evaluations Overview

Evaluating Our Impact:
Youth Frontiers Three Key Findings

1. Students learn how to treat each other better.

- 93% of students on the Kindness Retreat reported that they learned ways to be kinder to their peers and how to include others in activities. (Sass, 2005)
- Over half of teachers surveyed regarding the Courage Retreat felt that there had been a noticeable change in the ways students treated each other even 60 days after the experience. (Sass, 2005)
- 74% of students on the Respect Retreat reported that they had been more respectful of others since the retreat. (Sass, 2005)
- Youth Frontiers expands the common vocabulary of students and teachers around building positive school communities. (Johnston, 2008)

2. Students are more engaged and willing to stand up for others.

- 86% of students on the Courage Retreat reported that they learned what it means to act with courage, the impact of fear, and skills about how to show courage. (Sass, 2005)
- Through the direct instruction on the retreat, students have an increased awareness of their choices and use this experience as a catalyst to change their behavior. (Johnston, 2008)
- Youth Frontiers retreats assist educators with behavior management and problem-solving strategies. (Johnston, 2008)

3. Youth Frontiers delivers a consistently high-quality retreat experience.

- 95% of teachers reported that the Respect Retreat was of a very high quality. (Sass, 2005)
- Youth Frontiers has incorporated many best practices into the retreat format including using upper-class students as role models, using a variety of formats that are relational and youth-centered, and providing opportunities for personal reflection. (CAREI, 2009)
- 100% of educators rated the quality of Youth Frontiers retreat staff facilitation as very high. (Johnston, 2008)

YF Longitudinal Evaluation Project, Ed Sass, Ed. D., 2002-2005 YF Client Review Evaluation Project, Bill Johnston, 2007-2008 Preliminary Report, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, University of Minnesota, 2009

Reference Letters

Educator Endorsee

These teachers and administrators have volunteered to share the story of YF's impact on their school with you. If you are interested in speaking with one of our Educator Endorsees, please contact our office at 952.922.0222 to get their contact information. Thank you!

Paul Andress
Counselor
South View Middle School
Edina, MN

Dawn Banas
Climate Coordinator
Summit School District
Frisco, CO

Randi Bibbins-Clark
Counselor
St. Wenceslaus School
Omaha, NE

Nancy Branch
Principal
Chandler Traditional Academy-
Independence Campus
Chandler, AZ

Rinalda Butts
Counselor
Monroe Middle School
Omaha, NE

Elizabeth Eaton
Student Assistance Program Coordinator
Centennial Schools
Circle Pines, MN

Molly Fenske
Counselor
Rockford Middle School
Rockford, MN

Mark Fodness
7th-grade Teacher
Bemidji Middle School
Bemidji, MN

Midi Hansen
Reading Specialist
Cedar Manor Elementary
St. Louis Park, MN

Anne Larson
Service Learning Coordinator
Moorhead High School
Moorhead, MN

Keith Lester
Superintendent
Brooklyn Center Schools
Brooklyn Center, MN

Stan Marczak
Principal
Grantsburg High School
Grantsburg, WI

Kim Mason
4th-grade Teacher
Olson Elementary
Bloomington, MN

Marcia Nelson
English Teacher
Crossroads Alternative High School
Coon Rapids, MN

Dennis Peterson
Superintendent
Minnetonka Public Schools
Minnetonka, MN

Tim Ramsey
Assistant Principal
Garden Lakes Elementary
Pendergast, AZ

Curt Zander
Middle School Director
Convent of the Visitation School
Vadnais Heights, MN

Client List

Student Thank You Video

Kindness Assembly: elementary school, grades K-3

Only available locally

$895 One Assembly
$1,195 Two Assemblies

Kindness Concert: elementary school, grades 3-4

Only available locally

$495 Local only

Kindness Retreat: elementary school, grade 4 or 5

$1,895 Local
$2,195 Non-Local

Courage Retreat: middle school, grades 7 or 8

$2,195 Local
$2,495 Non-Local

Courage Callback: a follow-up to the Courage Retreat

$495 Local only

Respect Retreat: high school, grade 9 or 10

$2,195 Local
$2,495 Non-Local

Responsibility Retreat: high school, 11th grade

$2,195 Local
$2,495 Non-Local

Wisdom Retreat: high school seniors

$2,195 Local
$2,495 Non-Local

Honor Retreat: faculty/staff

$2,195 Local
$2,495 Non-Local

Local retreats are those that do not require overnight travel from Minneapolis, MN.

Non-Local retreat prices are for those retreats that require overnight travel and are located in greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Omaha, Denver, and Phoenix areas.

If you are located outside of these areas, please click here for pricing information.

Frequently Asked Questions about YF Retreats

How many participants can attend a retreat?

The number of participants per retreat depends on the type of retreat you are booking. Here are the ideal ranges of number of participants per retreat:

Kindness: 75-135
Courage: 100-150
Respect: 100-200
Wisdom: 150-250
Honor: 250 Max

If your group is significantly larger or smaller than the suggested range, please contact our Retreat Coordinator at 952.922.0222 for more information.

What does a retreat day look like?

General Schedule:
- Small group leader orientation
- Welcome and group-building activities
- Introduction to the theme of the day
- Small group activity: time to process the message from the introduction
- Large group activity
- Presentation: topic-based talk
- Small group discussion: processing time
- Lunch
- Large group activity
- Presentation: topic-based talk
- Small group discussion: processing time
- Closing: Participants commit to take action based on the day's retreat topic

Small group leader orientation
Your small group leaders must arrive 30 minutes before the retreat begins. Connecting with the small group leaders at the start of the day is crucial to the success of the retreat.

Opening and games
As soon as the students arrive, we engage them in interactive games. We have found that these activities help to break the ice and build a sense of community among students. We consider this time "earning the right to be heard" on the part of our staff. We know that in order for students to get the most out of the day, they need to first get a feel for who we are and what the day has in store for them.

Topic-based talks
The YF Retreat Staff give 2 topic-based talks during the retreat. The focus of the talks differs based on the type of retreat and age of the participants.

Small groups
Three times during the day, the students will meet in pre-assigned small groups for discussion. Each discussion is facilitated by a small group leader and allows students to talk more in-depth about the topics presented during the talks.

Closing
For many students, the highlight of the day is the closing activity. We ask students to commit take action based on the day's retreat topic.

Are you a one-shot deal?

At YF, we know the most challenging work of improving the community in your school is in your hands. For many schools, YF retreats provide an initial and critical component in their efforts to improve the school community; and many schools use the language and lessons learned on the retreat to build school culture and expectations around respect.

Here are some ways you can extend the impact of the retreat and build a more positive school community. All of the resources listed on the PDF below can be found on our website by clicking on the Clients page and selecting the corresponding retreat tab.

Keep it Going PDF

What's your impact?

We've spent several years researching our impact, and will continue to do so (we just started a three-year partnership with the Center for Applied Research and Academic Improvement with the University of Minnesota). Our findings so far have shown us that:

1. Students learn to treat each other better. Schools are intentionally using our retreats to complement and enhance their curriculum and instruction, using the retreat to call upon the lessons learned throughout the year.
2. Students are more engaged and willing to stand up for others. They leave the retreat feeling better about themselves and their peers, helping to build community that permeates throughout the entire school.
3. Youth Frontiers delivers a consistently high-quality retreat experience. Kids remember the retreat, and our formula for success reflects many best practices.

Our impact, by the numbers:
- 93% of students on the Kindness Retreat reported that they learned ways to be kinder to their peers and how to include others in activities.
- 86% of students on the Courage Retreat reported that they learned what it means to act with courage, the impact of fear, and skills on how to show courage.
- 74% of students on the Respect Retreat reported that they had been more respectful of others since the retreat.
- Over half of the teachers surveyed felt that there had been a noticeable change in the ways students treated each other even 60 days after the experience.

To learn more about our evaluations, you may contact Ali Sipkins, Evaluation Coordinator, or download this report:

Evaluations Overview PDF

Where does the retreat take place?

Retreats take place at an off-campus location, like a community center, church, synagogue, banquet center, hotel conference room, etc., that will accommodate your group size. (Although we strongly recommend an off-campus location, they are optional for Kindness Retreats.) The retreats are very high-energy and interactive, so it's important that the space be totally empty - and a carpeted floor is ideal!

Where can I find funding for the retreat? Do you have a grant template?

While some schools have built Youth Frontiers retreats into their district or school budget, most schools must search for funding. Each school finds different ways to pay for their retreat experience. Many schools look to their PTO/PTA or local business to sponsor the retreat; many write grants (click here for a grant template); and others charge students a nominal fee to attend.

For other ideas on how to fund a YF retreat, please contact us! We're happy to help!

Why are small group leaders necessary?

An important component of the retreat day is the opportunity for participants to work in groups with volunteer high school or adult leaders. Leaders facilitate small group discussions, encourage participation, act as positive role models, and help break down social barriers at the school. These retreats provide an excellent leadership opportunity for high school students or community members willing to volunteer their time and energy.

Please download the PDF below with more information to share with your high school or volunteer contact.

High School Leaders PDF

How do we find small group leaders?

Small group leaders can be found from your local high school, utilizing a group of leaders within the school (like NHS, athletic leaders, student council, peer mentors, or asking for volunteers). There's also a great community benefit to asking for adult volunteers to help supplement and support the high school leaders. Perhaps a local business or your school's parent organization can provide adults who would be willing to spend their day participating in this high-energy and inspirational day.

How are the teachers and staff involved?

Expectations of teachers and staff We understand how busy educators are and the desire for staff to complete work outside the retreat. However, we encourage teachers/staff to be present the entire retreat to observe and experience for themselves the power of these programs. The retreat offers unique perspective and insight for both teachers and students about the school's climate and community, and gives teachers touch points of language to continue the impact of the retreat in the classroom.

We expect teachers to:
1. Attend the teacher meeting with the YF Retreat Director during the first small group discussion time for the students.
2. Sit in the room with the students during the large group activities and topic-based talks.
3. Participate in the activities, as they feel comfortable.
4. Assist with any disciplinary problems when requested by our staff.
5. Help distribute snack, lunch, or materials as needed.

Benefits of teacher and staff participation
1. Teachers and staff will better understand the messages of the retreat and can reinforce those lessons in the classroom. This can help lengthen the impact of the retreat.
2. The experience builds community by allowing teachers and staff to interact with students outside of the classroom. Teachers have told us that the retreat gave them a chance to see students in a different light, and many students say the same about their teachers.
3. The values being taught are timeless, and adults can benefit from thinking about them as well.

Do you have any retreat follow-up material?

Yes, we provide follow-up Advisory Curriculum for your use in class, homeroom, or whatever way works best for your school. Many teachers use this curriculum throughout the year in their lesson plans to keep the ideas from the retreat alive in their school. The Advisory Curriculum can be accessed by visiting the clients page and clicking on the Kindess, Courage, or Respect retreat tabs.

After your retreat, you will receive a packet of resources to share with your school, including posters, buttons, etc.

You may also sign up for one of our e-newsletters to keep the messages from the retreat a part of your every day culture at school:

YF Weekly Character Challenge - A weekly challenge via text or email for your students to keep them working on their acts of kindness, courage, or respect. (Some teachers or administrators use this weekly message as a part of their announcements or classroom activities.)

YF Educator - A monthly e-newsletter for teachers that help support you in your work with students.