Misson, Vision, and Values
The mission of Project GO is to guide youth toward broader perspectives and self discovery through adventures in the great outdoors.
Our mission (and therefore its articulation as a statement) is important enough to be worth a few additional words. We want all volunteers and supporters of Project GO to understand our ultimate motivation, and how the decisions that we make and actions that we take serve the mission.
The directive to “guide youth” is a reflection of our belief in the efficacy of “experiential education.” Rather than “telling,” “reading” or “preaching,” we’re inviting young people to EXPERIENCE. By “guiding” young people, we are allowing them to learn of their own volition, by direct experience, and with the help of guided reflection. We place special emphasis on the “reflection” aspect, as this is what helps lessons learned on the river transfer to regular life.
The affective outcomes our program strives towards fall into two categories. “Self-discovery” includes intrapersonal outcomes like improved self-confidence, increased willingness to take risks, enhanced leadership, increased logical thinking and greater reflective thinking. “Broader perspectives” include interpersonal outcomes like enhanced cooperation, more effective communication, greater trust in others, increased sharing of decision making, new ways to resolve conflicts, improved problem solving and enhanced leadership.
There are a number of reasons that we’ve chosen “ the great outdoors” as the venue for our pursuits. New environments create a contrast with the familiar, allowing young people to see old behavior patterns in a new light, and to notice behavior patterns that may have been overlooked in familiar environments. Unfamiliar environments may allow young people to “try on” new behaviors in an environment without the fears or limitations found in their regular environment. Additionally, unfamiliar environments act as an “equalizer,” placing learners on a par with one another. As no one has experience in the outdoors, no one is seen as the “expert.” So preexisting hierarchies may be put aside, allowing people to think for themselves.
Finally, we believe in the value of “adventure.” Adventure involves both risk and challenge, both of which, if at an appropriate level, have been shown the increase the longevity of experiential learning, and the transference of lessons gleaned.
A world in which no young person is denied the opportunity to grow though experiences in the great outdoors.
There are many programs available to those with the means to pay for them. Project GO works towards our vision by providing programs to those who cannot afford them. Frequently, these are the young people most in need of what the great outdoors has to offer!
In addition to our mission and vision, there are a number of values that Project GO takes very seriously.
Project GO Values
- It is important that the diversity of our clients be reflected in our staff and volunteers;
- Our volunteers feel rewarded and fulfilled when donating their time and effort to Project GO, and desire to give more;
- We’re dedicated to providing opportunities for the ongoing training and improvement of our volunteers;
- We are committed to recognized best practices in experiential education, and in the particular activities that we participate in;
- We believe that young people take risks in order to test boundaries and see where they fit in the world. We believe that adventure based outdoor programs are a healthy outlet for this risk-taking behavior;
- We are good stewards of resources, natural and financial;
- We believe that our programs are more effective when offered as part of an ongoing program allowing multiple contacts with clients and the great outdoors;
- We respect and strive to be respected by: peer organizations, appropriate governing bodies, and governmental agencies with jurisdiction over our activities.
