Giving youth the opportunity to engage in an innovative learning opportunity during the summer helps prevent the dreaded summer learning loss most urban youth experience when they do not participate in educational activities during the summer. The Youth Connection is partnering with the National Park Service River Raisin National Battlefield Park to introduce 1,000 metro Detroit youth to kayaking, outdoor education, history and culture through our Ticket to Float Program.
Most urban youth experience learning loss when they do not participate in educational activities during the summer. By fall these children score lower on standardized tests. Many urban families find it difficult to make sure their children have productive things to do during the summer break. Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer - some experience weight gain faster when they are out of school during the summer break.
Urban youth will learn how to kayak safely on the Huron River. They will learn about the role the African American militia played during the War of 1812 and meet descendants of the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation. They will play games played during the 1800's and participate in fur trading. Youth will learn about water quality by examining the water from the Huron River and see the vegetation that grows along the river to determine what is edible and what is used for medicinal purposes.
TYC believes in providing tools that become part of the DNA of the families and children we serve. We open doors and provide services which will become a part of individual's identity and have these skills transfer to every aspect of that child's life. By encouraging substantial personal development we are able to provide access to opportunities while having the long-term effect of our families and children improving their own lives that allows them to lift themselves out of poverty.
