About

The Youth Excellence Project (YEP) is a program designed to empower teen boys who have endured significant life challenges to experience success, navigate life obstacles, and emerge as adults committed to the betterment of society. It was launched in 2014 by a group of volunteers who donate their time and energy and who are committed to promoting positive change in young people’s lives.

Throughout the year we participate in monthly camping trips that lead up to an extended day outdoor expedition that occurs in the summer. Past trips have included kayaking in and around sea caves in the Channel Islands National Park, backpacking around Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, and a hybrid backpacking and canoeing trip in the beautiful Bigelow Mountains Preserve in Maine.

We also work together to positively impact our communities, with a particular focus on preventing violence and supporting individuals affected by violence. In this capacity, we have partnered with outside agencies to provide peer-led workshops to schools and youth groups, as well as developed media to raise public awareness of the effects of violence, promote healthy relationships, and advocate for victims in need of support . Given that many of our youths have been impacted by violence in their own lives, their messages are powerful.

Finally, across the year, the boys establish strong, healthy, and lasting relationships with positive adults and peers. Our expectation is that these connections can be sustained and serve to provide a valuable resource as these boys attain personal goals and find direction.

Nominate Youth

Who is eligible? Incoming youth are male, ages 13-15, who reside in Connecticut and who have faced significant life challenges but show signs of resiliency. Youth must demonstrate interest and investment in the program and commit to the majority of group activities. New cohorts are recruited in the fall of each year; however, youth who have previously participated may reapply to continue up to the age of 17.

What does it cost? YEP is entirely volunteer-run. Our adult mentors donate their time and effort to making this a meaningful experience for the youth. We work hard to acquire as much funding for programs as possible through small foundation grants and donations. This ultimately offsets a significant portion of actual costs. Tuition covers the remaining cost and this is kept as low as possible – typically this can be raised through youth-led fundraising. We do our best to accommodate the individual needs of youth and their families and do not want tuition to be a barrier in considering a youth’s participation. Tuition for the 2017-2018 cohort will be announced in the fall.

How do I nominate a youth for the program? To nominate a youth, please complete and submit the following form at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/GVKrcsbtl5XVPq8b2

Our Core Values

Generosity

I will lend my hand and mind to those in need without expecting anything in return. I will demonstrate leadership to those who need guidance whether I place myself in that position or find myself there unexpectedly. I will do so for others regardless of age, color, gender, culture, or background. I am a valuable resource to others. I will continue to find ways to make meaningful contributions.

Resilience

I will tolerate the small stressors in my life and persevere the big ones. The trauma, violence, loss, or adversity I’ve lived will not stop me – I will persist and learn from it. When I need help I will realize it and seek the support of others.  My strength will serve to inspire others who have experienced the same. I will do more than survive – I will thrive.

Integrity

I will be honest with myself and others. Actions towards myself and others with be motivated by morality and good character. While no one is flawless, I will learn from my mistakes and grow from them. I can depend on myself. Others can depend on me.

Purpose

I am excited about life and what it has to offer. I will seek out new ways of understanding myself and my place in this world. I will focus on my education. I will keep an open mind and embrace new opportunities. I will build on my strengths. I will be mindful of my weaknesses. My future is bright.

Become a YEP Sponsor

We are grateful to all of the individuals, organizations, and businesses that make it possible to implement a program like this. Your support means that we can continue doing this important work with youth who otherwise may not have these resources. Our success raising funds has a direct impact on the number of youth we can serve and the amount of programming we can do. If you are interested in supporting the Youth Excellence Project, there are a few different options. You can sponsor a youth by either making a personal donation via our GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/youth-excellence-project (note- a small fee is retained by GoFundMe and you will receive a tax receipt automatically)  -or-  by arranging to send a check/money order directly to our office. A tax receipt will be provided. Alternatively, you can consider donating outdoor equipment and supplies (e.g., backpacks, hiking shoes, sleeping bags, other camping equipment, etc.). We thank you for your support!

Calendar of Events

December 16 (10-2pm) Orientation at Winding Trails in Farmington. Bring warm clothes as we will be both indoors and out. Lunch will be provided. Directions: Winding Trails is easily accessible from Interstate 84, exit 39 (Route 4, Farmington). Head straight off the exit and travel west on Route 4 for 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Devonwood Drive and then turn left onto Winding Trails Drive. (address for gps is ’50 Winding Trails Drive’)

January 27-28 (10am arrival, 11 am departure) This will be an overnight campout in cabins at Camp Harkness in Waterford CT. Activities will be both inside and out. Youth should bring warm clothes, hat, gloves, coat, and boots if they have them. Everything else will be provided. Directions: The camp is located at 301 Great Neck Road (Route 213) in Waterford CT in New London County. From Hartford, take Route 2 to Exit 19 Colchester/New London, and proceed south on Route 11.  Follow to Exit 4 at end of Route 11, and turn left onto Route 82(East Haddam Rd).  Proceed 1 mile to traffic light, and turn right onto Route 85 (Hartford/New London Turnpike).  Follow Route 85 for approximately eight miles into Waterford.  Pass under I-395 and at second traffic light turn right onto Cross Road. Go two miles and then turn left onto Route 1 (Boston Post Rd) for 1.5 miles to Avery Lane.  Turn right on Avery Lane and follow directions above onto Route 213 to Camp Harkness. Go to their website for directions from other places.  If you are interested in carpooling from either Cromwell CT or East Hartford CT, talk to us and we can arrange.

February 24-25 (10am arrival, 11 am departure) This will be an overnight campout in cabins at Camp Harkness in Waterford CT. Activities will be both inside and out. Youth should bring warm clothes, hat, gloves, coat, and boots if they have them. Everything else will be provided. Directions: The camp is located at 301 Great Neck Road (Route 213) in Waterford CT in New London County. From Hartford, take Route 2 to Exit 19 Colchester/New London, and proceed south on Route 11.  Follow to Exit 4 at end of Route 11, and turn left onto Route 82(East Haddam Rd).  Proceed 1 mile to traffic light, and turn right onto Route 85 (Hartford/New London Turnpike).  Follow Route 85 for approximately eight miles into Waterford.  Pass under I-395 and at second traffic light turn right onto Cross Road. Go two miles and then turn left onto Route 1 (Boston Post Rd) for 1.5 miles to Avery Lane.  Turn right on Avery Lane and follow directions above onto Route 213 to Camp Harkness. Go to their website for directions from other places.  If you are interested in carpooling from either Cromwell CT or East Hartford CT, talk to us and we can arrange.

March 24-25  Tunxis Cabin, East Hartland. This is an overnight campout in a more rustic cabin within the Tunxis State Forest in East Hartland, CT. Activities will mainly take place outside, where we will do a good deal of hiking on Saturday. Youth should wear clothes appropriate for the weather. Youth should have a reliable pair of boots or heavy sneakers for hiking. Sleeping bags and water bottles will be provided. Youth may choose to bring a flash light or head lamp. Electronic devices are strongly discouraged.  Directions:  From the junction of Route 20 and Route 181 in Hartland, proceed east on Route 20. Follow 8.0 miles and turn right on Balance Rock Road. Follow to the end of the road and park. If using GPS, put in ‘Balance Rock Road’ in East Hartland and it should get you there.  If you are interested in carpooling from either Cromwell CT or East Hartford CT, talk to us and we can arrange.

April 28-29 Empower Leadership Sports, Middletown. This is an exciting opportunity in which we’ve connected with a company called Empower Leadership Sports.  We planned a weekend at their recreation facility to engage in a ‘treetop adventure’ involving zip lines, a ropes course, and other really cool activities. We will be spending about 7 hours with them on Saturday engaged in these activities and will be camping in tents on their property overnight. Everyone should arrive on Saturday at 9:30 am to be ready to begin at 10am. We will depart on Sunday at 11am. Youth should pack clothes appropriate to the weather. It will likely be warmer during the day and cool at night. We spoke with all youths about wearing ‘layers’. If it is still cold in late April, youth should bring hats and gloves. Sleeping bags, water bottles, tents, and food will be provided. Legal guardians must fill out a release form before youth can participate in these activities. Address: 2011 South Main Street in Middletown (towards Durham). Carpooling from Cromwell is available as needed.

May 19-20 Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted. Directions to site. CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

June 23-24 Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted. Directions to site.Off Route 44: take Route 318 in Barkhamsted. Go across the steel bridge and take an immediate left onto East River Road. The recreation area is approximately 1 mile up on the left. Look for the ‘Ullman Grove Area’ and the ‘Yellow Museum’. We are meeting on Saturday at 10am. Youth will hike about 4 miles to the campsite. We will depart on Sunday at 11am. Youth should pack clothes appropriate to the weather.

July 14-15 Cockaponset State Forest on Pattaconk Reservoir, Haddam. DIRECTIONS: From Middletown area: take Route 9 south, Exit 6. Turn right off the exit ramp and go west on Route 148 for approximately 2 miles. Take a right onto Cedar Lake Road and drive approximately 2 miles. Take a left at the Pattaconk Lake sign. Drive down Filley Road to parking for SITE C (download map HERE). From Old Saybrook area: take Route 9 north, Exit 6. Turn left off the exit ramp and go west on Route 148 for approximately 2 miles. Take a right onto Cedar Lake Road and drive approximately 2 miles. Take a left at the Pattaconk Lake sign. Drive down Filley Road to parking for SITE C (download map HERE). WHAT TO BRING: Youth will be hiking and will have the opportunity to swim. Arrive on site at 10am (8:30 if carpooling from Cromwell). We will depart on Sunday at 11am.

August 4-11 Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York. Please get your paperwork in and payments made asap.