Discover the Magic of Wilderness Youth Project: Share Your Voice!
“Every child should have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. WYP has been a saving grace in these difficult times, a place where the kids can still be kids, exploring nature and pushing their own boundaries in a safe way.” - Appreciative parent of a 6-year-old participant.
At Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), we know the power of nature. We see it every day in the joy and growth of our participants. But while heartfelt testimonials from parents capture the magic of our work, we also need concrete data to ensure we’re making a real difference. That’s where you come in!
Why Your Feedback Matters
We’ve been diligently tracking growth in four key areas:
- Individual: Boosting self-confidence and nurturing a love of learning.
- Interpersonal: Fostering respect for others and honing conflict resolution skills.
- Physical: Building physical confidence and agility.
- Environmental: Cultivating a deep respect for the natural world.
Our summer evaluation survey includes 6 true/false/not observed questions and 2 open-ended questions to assess changes in these areas. Additionally, we ask 4 questions about your experience interacting with our staff.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Here are some insights from our past summer surveys:
- 87% noticed increased curiosity.
- 84% observed improved self-esteem and a sense of being valued.
- 80% saw growth in empathy and helpfulness.
- 87% noted enhanced physical confidence and agility.
- 56% reported better conflict resolution skills.
- 93% witnessed a stronger love of nature.
These statistics are more than just numbers; they reflect real progress and happy, healthy, thriving children. But we also treasure the personal stories you share with us:
Your Parent/Guardian Highlights:
- “The variety of adventures and the thrill of new challenges like jumping off rocks into water, stitching leather, and having adventures.”
- “He loves being in nature and feels confident.”
- “He rated it an 11/10! He loves exploring and trying new, challenging things.”
- “When I asked, ‘Which was the best day?’ she instantly replied, ‘All of them.’”
Your Parent/Guardian Favorite Moments:
- “That you hold a space for my daughter to just be a kid.”
- “She spent her day outdoors, and the staff were kind and genuinely cared for the kids.”
- “The knowledge that my child thrives outdoors!”
- “The opportunity for him to be himself in nature with new people in every experience. I believe he learned more about himself this way.”
Your Experience Matters
We also asked about your interactions with our staff:
- 87% strongly agreed they found it easy to connect with WYP staff.
- 91% strongly agreed that mentors offered engaging activities.
- 92% strongly agreed that mentors provided positive mentorship.
When constructive or negative feedback is shared, we always reach out to the families directly to learn more about your family’s experience and learn from your story.
We value the opportunity to learn and grow each year and we cannot do this without your help.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Erica Gies of the Trust for Public Land writes that spending well-facilitated time in nature “increases children's cognitive flexibility, emotional capacity, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, use of imagination, self-esteem, and self-discipline. It makes them smarter, more cooperative, happier, and healthier.”
This is supported by extensive research and our own findings.
Your voice is crucial in helping us improve and expand our programs. By taking a few moments to complete our survey, you’ll ensure that we can continue to provide transformative experiences for children. Together, we can make sure every child has the chance to grow and thrive in nature.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or with any questions.