Mission Statement
Challenge Learning Center strengthens individuals to overcome obstacles and self-imposed limitations. Through our structured activities and leadership experiences, we build community where success, trust, and teamwork are honored. By providing rewarding, life-altering teambuilding experiences and leadership opportunities, Challenge Learning Center focuses on teens' and pre-teens' educational, personal, and social development to create thriving school environments, healthier communities, and a better-equipped future workforce.
Description
Teenagers need to experiment and take risks. But if they feel isolated, misunderstood, or undervalued, they may take unhealthy risks experimenting with drugs, alcohol, weapons, and sex. Challenge Learning Center was founded in 1991 to give teens a positive alternative. Our programs provide a supportive environment where healthy risk-taking is encouraged through positive, physical, learn-by-doing activities. We teach young people how to solve challenges and learn problem-solving skills through strategy, cooperation, and physical involvement. We provide them with opportunities to learn responsibility, self-reliance, and the value of community service, enabling them to be healthy, caring, and responsible members of the community. Our primary target population is middle and high school students in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Since 1991, CLC has served over 39,000 participants. Last year alone we served over 5,000, on a budget under $200,000. We offer three levels of experiential learning programs:
<> Community-building. These day-long programs, customized for each group, focus on decision making, risk taking, teamwork, communication, and trust.
<> Peer-to-Peer. This program provides an extra day of training during which student leaders learn to lead their classmates through a set of teambuilding activities. The leaders gain responsibility and become positive role models for their peers; in turn, the shared experience makes their school environment safer and more harmonious.
<> High School (LEAD) and Middle School (LEAP) Leadership Programs. These comprehensive, year-long programs teach groups of students advanced leadership, public speaking, and facilitation skills. Students meet every week during the school year for training sessions, and in the process they form a tight support group. They practice their skills by performing community service leading community-building programs, and speaking to service groups.
