Buffalo Phase
"A Family - Teamwork - Cooperation - Communication"
Buffalo are herd animals and move like a family, as an inseparable group. It is against their nature to act alone or to be incongruent with the needs of the family. This metaphor teaches students that agendas outside the cooperative group effort clearly obstructs the goals of the group and ability to complete group tasks. As students begin to understand group responsibility and accountability, they begin to look outside themselves and take into consideration how their behavior effects others.
During this phase students complete assignments designed to improve peer relationships and they build a sense of community. Students often begin to feel they are part of a safe, mutual and healthy environment. At this point and for the first time, the students believe there is hope and optimism for the future.
Objectives
- To reach beyond basic individual survival and develop a higher sense of community, family, and consequence.
Duration
- Approximately 14 days
Phase Requirements
- Demonstrates improved communication skills
- Calls groups when conflict arises
- Communicates without profanity.
- Confronts others appropriately.
- Asks for help and guidance from others appropriately.
- Gives and receives appropriate feedback to/from others.
- Assists new Coyotes in adjusting to group.
- Demonstrates respect toward others.
- Works toward growth for self rather than external reasons.
- Promotes teamwork within the group.
- Write a letter of responsibility to parents and share in group.
- Assist in the teaching of other students in at least two bow drill fire methods.
- Plans and cooks one meal for the entire group.
- Make a gift that will be useful to the whole group.
- Begins to take responsibility for behavior that resulted in being sent to Aspen.
- Takes more active role in individual therapy.
- Takes more active role in group therapy.
- Write at least one letter home to your parents, including the identification of issues that you and your family can work on.
- Create and commit in writing, two goals for the future in each of the following five categories: physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual.