Counseling through Archery at Adventure Works!

HITTING YOUR TARGET

Before pop culture gave archery a boost in popularity with tweens and teens, due in part to movies like Brave and The Hunger Games, Adventure Works (AW) in DeKalb was using it with youth in their weekly programs. However, unlike the characters on the big screen, AW is less interested in where the arrow lands and more interested in the overall experience.

WHY?
Archery is an activity that provides an opportunity for youth to learn and develop new skills, both on the range and in their own lives. Adventure Works utilizes adventure therapy–an active, hands-on approach to mental health counseling—to assist youth in overcoming challenges and becoming healthy adults.

HOW?
Through an activity like archery our staff facilitate discussions that help participants connect the skills learned in the archery exercise to real-life situations and/or challenges. Through this process youth learn to set goals that can lead to positive changes in behavior. In addition, AW uses archery to develop:

Communication skills, Problem solving, Mental-focus, Goal-setting
Self-esteem, Self-awareness, Impulse reduction, Self-control
Mindfulness, Relaxation, Social skills
Organization, Safety skills

“While Adventure Works averages a 90% attendance rate, it doesn’t hurt that pop culture has upped the ‘cool factor’ when it comes to archery,” says Adventure Works Risk Assessment and Outcomes Coordinator, Lisa Shelton. “Like any counseling program, kids have to show up for it to be effective.”

As a non-profit organization we rely on community support to serve our mission and reach as many youth as possible each year. For more information about how to get involved with Adventure Works, please visit our website at www.adventureworksdekalb.org or call Kim at 815-787-8990. Like them on Facebook to keep up with their latest Adventures!

A special thanks to Kishwaukee Archery Club, 28250 Lukens Rd, Sycamore, Illinois for the use of their facilities and supporting our program.

In its fifth year, Adventure Works is a non-profit organization in DeKalb, Illinois that assists youth in overcoming challenges and becoming healthy adults using adventure-based counseling. Serving youth ages 6-18, Adventure Works uses archery as one of our weekly group activities, primarily with middle and high school youth.