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COURSE SUMMARY:
This four month course is an exciting program developed for those students
with a deep affinity for water and coastal environments. Classroom settings
are as diverse as the natural splendor of the Florida Keys, the ancient Mayan
dwellings of Belize, and the rich history of the North Carolina Outer Banks.
Students create the schedule for the course after researching the multitude
of opportunities available to them in both the Caribbean and southern coastal
regions of the United States.
The history, flora, fauna, underwater geology, and diverse biological ecosystems
of these areas are lavishly rich. Adventure opportunities abound as the
students visit unique marine environments. Students have the opportunity
to gain certifications
in SCUBA diving, lifeguarding, CPR and First Aid. In addition, this course
includes a significant service learning component, allowing the students
to give something of themselves to the different areas they choose to visit.
EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE
Study
the rich culture and history of Mayan civilization and explore ruins such
as Caracol and Altun Ha
Explore the rich history of the Southeast from Colonization through the Civil War
Survey flora and fauna of marine habitats throughout the region:
* Saltwater Reefs
* Saltwater and Tidal Marshes
* Fresh Water Rivers and Springs
Record the incredible diversity of life in a tropical rainforest
Survey the ecosystem of Everglades National Park
Explore coastal ecology in diverse environments:
* The Key Deer Refuge in the Florida Keys
* The Low Country of South Carolina
* The Outer Banks of North Carolina
Open Water SCUBA Certification
ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITIES
* SCUBA Diving
* Snorkeling
* Sea Kayaking
* Canoeing in Everglades
* Spear Fishing
* Deep Sea Fishing
* International Travel
* Rainforest Treks
* Whitewater Rafting
* Sailing Swimming
* Flat Water Canoeing
If interested, please contact Admissions Department at 828-456-3435 or admissions@soarnc.org
Quick Facts:
Dates: 1/8/10 – 5/8/10
Students: 7
Days: 121
Tuition:$19,900
Ages:13-18
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Philosophy: SOAR believes all individuals identified with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) possess inherent talents and gifts. These abilities can mean incredible success in adulthood once these students negotiate the challenging obstacles of childhood, adolescence, and a traditional education system, usually unable to respond to individual learning styles.
Therefore, the SOAR model is based on two fundamental principles. First, youth with LD and AD/HD flourish when they are encouraged to focus on their strengths in an experiential setting. The second principle acknowledges that success can be generalized by encouraging our students to develop and utilize strategies, enabling them to compensate for those challenging characteristics of LD and AD/HD. To this end, SOAR staff strive to ensure success for each student across a wide range of experiences. Such success, in turn, builds essential self-esteem and self-confidence.
Based on these two foundations, SOAR participants develop problem solving skills, effective communication strategies, increased self-awareness, and social skills. Program activities include a broad base of wilderness adventure experiences that empower students to make healthy choices, learn more about themselves, overcome challenges, and establish relevance from these experiences to other aspects of their life.
SOAR's Specialty Courses are open to SOAR alumni and students with the maturity and experience level to be successful on the course. Acceptance is conditional on the approval of the course director. Most specialty courses are led by one of SOAR's year-round staff including Jonathan Jones, John Willson and Logan Walters.
SOAR’s programs are designed to allow students the opportunity to increase their independence while away from home. Independence is gained through self-motivation and life skills instruction. With this in mind, we involve our students in many decision making processes, such as setting individual goals, developing group guidelines, as well as trip and meal planning. This also comes into consideration when developing SOAR’s communication policy, detailed in our Parent Handbook.
SOAR is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) and is proud to be the finest: