YF’s Evaluation Overview
Through independent evaluation, we know that:
1. Students learn how to treat each other better.
- Nearly 7 out of 10 students somewhat or strongly agreed that since the Kindness Retreat, less popular students feel more a part of the school. (CAREI, 2010)
- 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)
- 80% of 4th- and 5th-graders somewhat or strongly agreed that since the Kindness Retreat, students are more likely to help someone who is being picked on. (CAREI, 2010)
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)
