Low Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is how a person feels about him or herself. It influences the kind of friends they choose, how they get along with others, and their successes and failures in life. It effects creativity, integrity, and productivity.
When an adolescent has low self esteem they:
- See themselves as a failure
- Expect to fail and behave so that success is unlikely
- Chronically misbehave
- Fail in most things they do
- Underachieve in school
- Have no friends or associate with problem peers
- Experiment with drugs and alcohol
- Challenge rules and authority
- Communicate through anger and defiance
Aspen Achievement Academy provides a program that rebuilds self-esteem through a variety of activities that allow students to experience success. They conquer Mother Nature through learning survival skills. Some of these involve building a bow drill fire, setting up a shelter, group hiking, and cooking community meals. School is taught through first-hand experiential methods, not in a formal classroom environment with textbooks and lectures, a setting where many of these students have already failed. Staff are positive, caring and supportive. They encourage students to express their feelings appropriately and problem solve.
As students progress in the program, mastering program tasks, they begin to develop a stronger sense of self. Their behavior reflects increased confidence and positive changes, which in turn motivates them towards continued growth. Students receive recognition for growth through level promotions, increased privileges and leadership responsibilities. The ultimate goal is that by program end, they are confident, self assured and able to return home with new appropriate behaviors.
