STAR
STAR (Solutions Through Adventure and Recreation)
STAR is a learning experience designed to enhance leadership, social skills, self-confidence and resilience in adolescents. Participants are provided with opportunities to practice and refine interpersonal skills in a safe and supportive environment, in addition to being scaffolded to transfer these skills to real-life situations. STAR is experience-based and as such, participants are exposed to learning opportunities requiring appropriate skills to be used – not merely talked about. This ‘hands on’ approach ensures that learning is fun, motivating and meaningful.
Philosophy
STAR is based on the philosophy that ‘best effort equals excellence’. The most important aspect of each STAR learning experience is the endeavour shown by the participant rather than the degree of ‘success’ achieved. Whilst participants will be motivated and encouraged by meeting challenges, the measure of effectiveness (as should be the case in life) is whether or not the participants were honestly trying as hard as they possibly could.
Students are exposed to numerous challenging situations in STAR and this may mean they will move out of their comfort zone. A ‘challenge by choice’ approach is used to ensure participants are comfortable with all experiences. Group and self-reflection is a critical part of the learning process in STAR and as such, debriefing occurs after each learning experience. Participants also engage in self-reflective learning through the completion of a personal log after each STAR session.
Structure
STAR is an open-ended learning experience that can vary in duration and composition. Traditionally, STAR consists of weekly two-hour sessions over a 12 week period. Groups range in size from six to 14 with a minimum of two adult facilitators. Each STAR session consists of an energizer, recap of previous session, theme introduction, theme-related activities, a challenge activity, personal log and fun finishing exerciser.
Themes
STAR is designed around a set of themes that form the basis of each experience. Learning experiences are embedded with all STAR themes, however, a specific theme is the focus of each STAR session. Skills highlighted within a theme are not examined in isolation and are reinforced and practiced as part of subsequent sessions.
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Self-esteem
- Trust
- Anger management
- Choice-making challenges