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Youth Frontiers in the NewsSPEAKING AS ADVOCATES FOR TODAY'S YOUTH IN SCHOOLS & IN THE MEDIA Youth Frontiers uses a unique approach to reach students, a style that can best be described as MTV meets Aristotle. Music, dance and powerful discussions combine to capture the attention of our youth and focus it on the importance of being respectful, courageous and kind. Our work continues to draw the attention of community leaders and the news media. Recently we were asked to comment on the increase of cyberbullying incidents for KARE 11's Whatever show. Check out the video here: Youth Frontiers Press Releases
Recent Press:The Journal: November 2, 2007Like Pebbles In A Pond An act of courage can be like a pebble in a pond. It has a ripple effect that goes farther than sometimes can be seen. One by one, eighth-graders came to the center of the circle to put a pebble in a bowl of water. They then picked up a microphone and told their classmates what their "act of courage" was going to be. During the 30 minutes that the group of about 150 eighth-graders sat in a circle on the wooden floor of the New Ulm Armory, teen-agers issued apologies for making fun of a person or being rude to someone, promised to stop taking things so seriously and pledged to be more courageous about expressing opinions amid shaky voices, tears or nervous giggles. The New Ulm Public School students spent most of their school day Thursday at the Armory for the annual Courage Retreat. After the revealing statements in the circle, they talked, shook hands, embraced and continued their apologies and promises. Watching the whole thing from the back of the armory's main hall for the 12th year in a row on Thursday morning, math teacher Janelle Woodbury used a tissue to dry her eyes. "It's just powerful to see students take a risk," said Woodbury, who admittedly cries at the retreat each year. The pebbles and statements concluded the day-long retreat,which was put on by Youth Frontiers Inc., a group of about 15 young adults from the Minneapolis area that uses a combination of group activities and music to get students to focus either on courage, kindness or respect. Click here to read more about this story. Raiders Digest: April 10, 2007Have a Little Respect Where did all the freshman go? On April 10th, they went on a quest for respect. Once they arrived at their retreat locations, the students enjoyed a fun filled day which involved small group discussions, games, activities, singing, dancing, and who could forget lunch? ... Some of the students' favorite parts of the day were: competing in groups, dancing, making new friends, and the music that was played during the day. ... Lots of the freshmen said they learned they have to respect themselves adn to have others respect them. They also said they have to avoid cliques in order to have a peaceful and united school. Some students will still choose to not respect others, or themselves. But all of the other students will decide to respect themselves and will decide to reach out to the new students in school and invite them into their group. This is what th respect retreat was all about. And that was the goal of everyone who worked so hard to make the day a success. Associated Conent: April 10, 2007Youth Frontiers - Courage, Kindness, adn Respect Minneapolis-based Youth Frontiers really cares how our kids treat each other, and their one-day retreats for students are having a positive impact on students and drawing rave reviews from school officials who have utilized the program. Youth Frontiers was founded in 1987 by Joe Cavanaugh, who had a vision and a goal of making school a more positive experience for all students by encouraging change in the way kids treat each other. The focus is on teaching the values of kindness, courage, and respect, using music, dance, games, and group activities. Although their initial focus was middle and high school students, Youth Frontiers now provides programs for elementary students and faculty as well. ... In one of the most recently held retreats, 7th graders from six southwestern Minnesota schools met at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington, Minnesota for two half-day sessions called "The Courage Retreat." ... This was the second time Youth Frontiers had been invited to Worthington. Because the Kindness Retreat was so effective, Youth Frontiers was invited to come again and present their Courage Retreat. According to Nobles County Integration Collaborative (NCIC) coordinator Sharon Johnson, "Courage can be acts that you see people do every day. For some students, if they're victims of bullying, going to school is a challenge." She commended Youth Frontiers, stating, "They have a remarkable way of engaging the youth." Click here to read more about this story. Worthington Daily Globe: March 29, 2007Area Seventh-graders Learn Acts of Bravery
"To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform," said historian Theodore H. White. Seventh-graders from Worthington Middle School, Round Lake, Brewster, Ellsworth, Adrian and Fulda learned about exactly that kind of bravery Tuesday and Wednesday at the Courage Retreat, which took place in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington. "They can make their school a better place by doing the right thing and not following the crowd," said Eric Malmberg of Youth Frontiers. Click here to read more about this story. Wisconsin Rapids Tribune: March 29, 2007Students learn lessons of courage
Julia Ludwiczak and Amber Howard gave each other a hug. It was a hug from each of the seventh-grader's hearts. "We didn't really know each other," said Amber, 13. "She hung out with some of my other friends, and some of us kind of teased her and said she was annoying and made fun of her." "I kind of feel bad for that, and I apologized, and I asked her to be friends, and she said 'yeah.'" It was a moment to remember. "I didn't really give her (Amber) a chance before," Julia, 13, said. "I feel a lot better now."
Click here to read more about this story. Brainerd Dispatch: January 26, 2007Courage Not to Retreat
It takes courage for a middle school student to stand up alone to a bully or to friends who are spreading hurtful gossip about others.
Click here to read more about this story. EDINA Magazine: January 2007R-E-S-P-E-C-T; Youth Frontiers Challenges Edina Students to think before they act
Youth Frontiers founder and CEO Joe Cavanaugh has one straightforward and ambitious vision for school children: Change the way young people treat each other in every hallway, lunch line and classroom in every school in America.
Click here to read more about this story. Albert Lea Tribune; January 5, 2007Seventh-graders learn lessens about fear and courage When Youth Frontiers Inc. leader Joe Beckman yelled "Let me see you boogaloo!" more than 100 Southwest Middle School seventh-graders and a dozen Albert Lea High School students danced and jumped and screamed in delight. What is Beckman's reason behind all this madness? Click here to read more about this story. K-W School News; December, 2006Respect retreat held for Kenyon-Wanamingo students On Tuesday, October 31st a Respect Retreat put on by Youth Frontiers, Inc. out of Minneapolis, Minnesota was held for the Kenyon-Wanamingo 9th and 10th grade students in the fellowship hall st St. Michael's Catholic Church. (Youth Frontiers recommends finding a "neutral" site off school grounds.) The retreat was funded by the Safe & Drug Free Schools Grant. Most 9th/10th grade students attended...numbering approximately 150 participants. There were also several (19) junior and senior leaders who helped make the retreat a success. These students came early to be trained in the activities for the day, facilitated small group discussions, and provided strong leadership (and energy) in the activities for the day. They did a fabulous job! ... Leaders started the day by explaining the goal to the students...to give each and every person in the room one day to feel respected by everyone else. Further discussions focused on three different areas: respect for self, respect for others, and standing up for the value of respect. The final activity was a very moving one; it was called the campfire and it was a time for students to walk to the center of the room and share their experiences of respect and disrespect with the group. (A candle was lit and a microphone was available in the center of the room with all 150-200 other people sitting in a circle around the room.) Worthington Daily Globe; November 17, 2006Students throw the boomerang of kindness The non-profit organization Youth Frontiers, Inc. believes if a person wants to be treated with kindness, they have to throw the kindness boomerang, and kindness can come back to them. On Thursday, more than 100 fifth-grade students gathered at Adrian Elementary School to spend the day with two representatives from Youth Frontiers, learning about the kindness boomerang. Through music, games and small and large group discussions, Joe Beckman and Kecia Winter, with help from some high school mentors, taught the students the rightness of being kind. "Our goal today is to give every kid in this school a day where they are treated with nothing but kindness," Beckman said. "To prove to them that, A, it can happen, and B, they can have fun at the same time they are being kind." Beckman said they begin the day with games and music, keeping the students on their toes. "They don't know what's coming next," he said with a grin. Some of the group discussions involved the three types of bullying (verbal, physical and silent) and how to stand up and be a hero for someone. Click here to read more about this story. Lakes Area Review; November 20, 2006RESPECT, Find out what it means to teens Imagine a line drawn down the middle of New London-Spicer High School. One one side of the line are words and actios like: Name calling, digging through bags and purses, invading someone's privacy, throwing stuff at each other, mean looks, leaving people out, hair pulling, mean gestures, talking back to teachers, talking behind people's backs. On the other side of the line are words and actions like: Including people, going out of your way to be nice to people, helping people out, smile, compliment each other, positive gestures (like high-fives and hugs), saying "Hi" in the hallways and asking how people are doing, Sticking up for other people. Jamie Zuel of Youth Frontiers asked NL-S ninthgraders what side of the line they want to be on during a Respect retreat at Peace Lutheran Church in New London Nov. 14. "Lines are drawn for you, and you need to decide which side of the line you're on," he said. "Do we respect or do we disrespect?" ... At the end of the retreat, the lights are dimmed, and students are invited to share their thoughts and feelings around a symbolic campfire. Some talk about how it feels to be singled out and disrespected. Some ask for forgiveness and apologize to those they have hurt in the past. All have a better idea of how to show themselves and others respect. Charity Navigator: October 30, 2006Downtown voices: Pondering the meaning of generosity If you and a friend were chatting over a meal and your friend asked, "What does it mean to live in a generous community," what would you say? Would you have a response at the ready or would you be caught off-guard, flummoxed by the unexpected inquiry? Recently, I facilitated a panel of community leaders at the Basilica of St. Mary and asked them this very question. The panel consisted of Mayor R.T. Rybak, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Marina Munoz Lyon of the Pohlad Family Foundation, Joe Cavanaugh of Youth Frontiers, Julie Gilbert of Best Buy and Kou Xiong, a YouthCARE participant and a first year student at Gustavus Adolphus College. For approximately 90 minutes, the panel shared their views on a variety of issues connected to the topic of generosity -- from the impact it has on youth development to the barriers that prevent us from being generous. Click here to read more about this story. Staples World; October 26, 2006'Youth Frontiers' hosts retreats November 2, 10, 17 in Staples Improving school climate and strenthening student character are goals of school social workers, teachers, and other interested adults who are excited to be bringing "Youth Frontiers" to Staples Motley schools for three retreats in November. Kelly Coughlin, Staples, first heard about Youth Frontiers through a friend whose child had attended a retreat. Coughlin was inspired by her friend's reports and began working on grants to help bring Youth Frontiers to the Staples Motley schools. ... Thanks to the efforts of these women and other concerned adults, funds for the retreats have been made available through ISD #2170 with a grant from the Initiative Foundation along with matching funding from local service groups. This means students (grades four-ten) will have an opportunity to take part in an all day retreat hosted by Youth Frontiers, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that strives to teach values and build character among young people. Pioneer Press; October 11, 2006Reading, writing...and character education An act of kindness could leave some Pilot Knob Elementary School students with a citation. For about the past three years, a "kindness patrol" at Pilot Knob has recognized, rewarded and rejoiced in students who display respect, truthfulness, peacemaking and other good-hearted expressions. ... At Rosemount High School, all freshmen must attend a daylong respect retreat this week. The 525 freshmen will have a chance to form relationships and interact with students they wouldn't normally, said Pete Roback, dean of the freshmen class. Seniors and juniors will serve as peer leaders during the retreat. As the students advance in high school, administrators will look at attendance, discipline and academic achievement data to monitor the program's success, Roback said. Click here to read more about this story. Dover-Eyota Eagle; October 2, 2006Building a transition Youth Frontiers Inc. of Minneapolis facilitated the COURAGE retreat. Kecia, one of the facilitators, set the tone for the day. She told the 7th graders she had three challenges for them. One, to respect each other and the high school leaders; two, to take some risks during the day-to talk, to listen and to share; and three, to be real-she asked them to be their real self and to allow their classmates to be themselves. Kecia told the students that she and the other two facilitators, Todd and Joe, had one goal to which they wanted every one to commit and that was to degine one act of courage they would act on all year to make their school a better place. ... One of the highlights of the day was the closing activity called "Pebble in the Pond." This was a time to put into practice the day's learning. Each student was asked to write down one act of courage and consider sharing it with the large group. After a couple of minutes of silent work, everyone listened as others shared what they could do to be a more courageous person, while placing a stone in a bowl of water. This signified how acts of courage have a ripple effect on those around us, just as the water ripples when a stone is added in. Le Sueur News-Herald; September 20, 2006Circular logic: Retreat urges growth, bonding In a room lit only by watery afternoon sunlight trickling through the windows, seventh graders sit in a huge circle. One by one, students wander toward the center, drop a pebble in a clear bowl of water and pick up the microphone. With shuddering voices, they say things like, "I want to be a better person," and "I want to be me, through and through." There are no giggles or insults thrown, only respectful silence from their classmates. ... In the basement of Zion United Church of Christ last Wednesday, the students finished up a day-long retreat held by Youth Frontiers, a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization that seeks to strengthen student character. The Le Sueur-Henderson school district has participated in the retreats for the past several years, holding one each for fourth, seventh and ninth graders. Times Journal; April 13, 2006BOLD Retreat Teaches Value of Kindness Youth Frontiers worked with the sixth-graders of BOLD and St. Mary's in a 'Kindness Retreat' designed to strengthen student character, improve the climate in the classrooms and prepare the students for the jump to junior high. Carver County News; March 2, 2006Courage Retreat Challenges Local Youth It takes courage to stand up for what's right and for your values when you are challenged by your peers. Seventh graders at Watertown-Mayer Middle School were involved recently in an all-day Courage Rretreat pressented by Youth Frontiers, Inc. of Minneapolis. Lakefield Standard; January 26, 2006JCC MS Staff Rekindles the Fire! During Jackson County Central Middle School's latest teacher in-service, teachers and staff were at school by 8 am as usuall but that was the only part of the day that [resembled] a normal school day for them. And this in-service was not the run-of-the-mill in-service either. From the treats in the library to the hard rockin' music in the auditorium, it was apparent that the middle school staff was in for some fun. In-Forum; January, 2006Building a Future This is the second year that Horizon Middle School's seventh graders have taken part in a Courage Retreat by Youth Frontiers. Read what In Forum News reporter Tracy Frank experienced when she attended this character-building retreat in Moorhead, Minnesota. This Week Rosemount; December 3, 2005Students to Learn More Respect It can be hard for freshman students to adjust to high school life. After all, the student body is larger, not to mention older than them. So in order to help the kids adapt to their new school, Rosemount High School [sent] all ninth graders to a respect retreat. Stillwater Courier; September 1, 2005No Disrespect Like bubbles in a shaken bottle of soda pop, more than 400 teenagers swelled into the north wing hallway at Stillwater Area High School - agitated, excited, and crowded by confining cement. ... 'It's like Aristotle meets MTV,' said Julie Guidry, director of operations and communications for Youth Frontiersm the non-profit organization hired to lead most of the orientation proceedings. While the organization has an 18-year history in leading team-building, goal-setting and other types of workshops in MInnesota schools, she said it most often leads what are called "respect retreats" like the one held during sophomore orientation. Youth Frontiers leads about 600 retreats each year, mostly in Minnesota. 'We ask students to challenge their thinking, but it's also loud and filled with games and activities...It's all very intentional to make kids feel welcome and to talk about things and share.' March, 2005Youth Frontiers' CEO and founder, Joe Cavanaugh was interviewed by Jack Rice from WCCO Radio in Minneapolis along with panel members, David Walsh from the National Institute on Media and Family and Paul Lehrer from Lakewood Counseling and Career Center, on the tragic school shooting that occurred in Red Lake, Minnesota. April, 2005 (Hubbard Broadcasting)Joe Cavanaugh, Youth Frontiers' CEO and founder, was interviewed by Cathie Hartnett on FM 107 in Minneapolis about school challenges, shootings and what we can do as a community to respond and prevent them. March 30, 2005Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat was covered in the March 30, 2005 issue of Echo Press in Alexandria, Minnesota. December, 2004The Minneapolis Star Tribune published Joe Cavanaugh's editorial commentary on the challenges schools face with regards to bullying. Youth Frontiers: Changing the Way Young People Treat One Another!: August 30, 2001Education World "I started Youth Frontiers in 1987," company president Joe Cavanaugh told Education World. "At first, I gave motivational speeches and conducted school assemblies on self-esteem. One day, at the end of my spiel, as I was packing up to leave, a girl came to me in tears. 'A group of kids make fun of me all the time,' she said. 'Can you make them stop?' I looked at her and my heart just sank. I knew there had to be a better way to get kids to see differently." When Cavanaugh reflected on his years as a camp counselor and community youth director, he realized that the most life-changing experiences had been the result of intensive retreats employing a wide variety of learning styles. So, in 1988, he replaced his motivational speeches with a series of one-day retreats designed to teach elementary, middle, and high school students how to incorporate the values of kindness, honesty, courage, integrity, and respect into their daily lives. Click here to read more about this story. For more info:Email or call us at 1.888.992.0222 to obtain our media and press kit. Joe Cavanaugh, nationally-known youth advocate and founder/CEO of Youth Frontiers, is available for speaking engagements as his schedule permits.
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