Retreat and Program FAQs

Where do I find small-group leaders?

An important component of the retreat day is the opportunity for participants to work in groups with volunteer small-group leaders. These mentors facilitate small-group discussions, encourage participation, act as positive role models and help break down social barriers at the school.

Schools often use older high school students, parents, corporate volunteers or respected community members to mentor their students.

Is lunch included with the retreat?

Lunch is not included in the price of the retreat. Schools are responsible for planning lunch. We recommend asking students to bring bag lunches that day, or providing bag lunches and water for all students.

How are your retreat staff vetted?

Youth Frontiers is committed to providing a safe and healthy experience for kids on our programs and we know how much schools trust our retreat staff. All of our retreat staff have been through an extensive background check in order to work with youth. They have also been through Virtus training.

Beyond the retreat, are there follow-up activities for teacher to do in the classroom?

Yes! Youth Frontiers is committed to helping you extend the impact of the retreat. Our school clients have access to a dynamic menu of follow-up options. Youth Frontiers is here to support your students’ social-emotional character development needs in order to create a healthy, respectful school culture in which learning thrives.

The retreat day itself is a catalyst to inspire your students to show kindness, act with courage and commit to respect. We created this curriculum as an a la carte menu because we know each school has different needs.

How do you work with other character development programs?

Many schools use Youth Frontiers’ programs as part of a larger school culture change model. Our retreats act as a catalyst for your school-wide, social-emotional character development initiatives. These retreats on the timeless values of kindness, courage, respect and responsibility engage the heart so that your students’ heads are engaged in the academic curriculum. Ultimately, your students’ hands are engaged in making their school a place where everyone is accepted and respected, and feels safe to learn to their full potential.

On a YF retreat, your students experience the AHA! moment of why a respectful school culture matters. When their hearts are engaged, students are empowered and learn the following SEL competencies: Empathy, Perspective-taking and Responsible decision-making.

Follow up the retreat with the YF Follow-up Curriculum: Your teachers get an a la carte menu of options to keep the momentum of the retreat going and to go deeper into issues that are affecting your students.

Ongoing Leadership Development: Your student leaders experience continuous opportunities to realize their potential. Your parents and teachers receive access to resources to become better caregivers themselves and build a positive school community.

Other Complementary Curricula

• PBIS
• Olweus
• Responsive Classroom
• YF Responsibility Retreat
• PACER (parent resources)
• LINK crew (leadership development)
• YF Educator retreats

Where can I find out more about Youth Frontiers as an organization?

Check out our About page.