Over the past couple months we have spent each of our meetings teaching new members the trade of giving presentations to middle school students. Every new student who comes in is looking to make an impact in the lives of students and we are eager to help students get to a place where they can help us to move this county forward in the area of drug prevention.
On May 6th I get the opportunity to accept the City Council Proclamation that the month of May will be Grand Junction's Teen Substance Abuse Awareness Month! After two years of working with this organization I have gotten to see it grow and thrive and I couldn't be happier with how my experience has turned out. I had the ability to break out of my comfort zone and use my leadership skills to gain valuable life lessons in the areas of public speaking, event planning, and fundraising.
We have faced some challenges with opposition over the last couple years. Dealing with a subject as delicate as drug prevention it is obvious that some people will disagree with your point of view. Most of our opposition came from people standing up for medical marijuana. As far as ethical implications go, Neural Activity doesn't focus on the bad sides of drugs but rather on the positive things that can come from staying drug-free as a teen. Also we have nothing against using drugs prescribed by a physician for a certain person, it is when those drugs are used recreationally and without doctor approval that we believe it will negatively affect a person and/or their lifestyle.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Middle School Holiday Party
In December we found out that Neural Activity would be expanding into middle schools as early as next semester. Middle schools clubs we hope to be a place of learning where each week students learn new lessons about what drugs can do to their bodies in the hopes of persuading them to choose other methods of fun that aren't harmful to the body or mind. Because of this amazing new expansion we wanted to do a promotion event for the middle school students to get them excited about the new opportunity at their school.
We booked a rock climbing gym in our area for an evening and allowed 150 middle school students to join us for a free adventure activity that night. In addition to the rock climbing, we had multiple stations throughout the facility dedicated to mini-lessons on drug prevention in which the students could participate. We saw many interested students at this event, and it was marked a success for Neural Activity.
Winter Workshop 2014
This year Neural Activity members were taken on a winter workshop to Crested Butte, CO. This trip was sponsored by the sheriff's department, so big thanks to their support. During the workshop we spent our night receiving tips and tricks for talking to large audience and how to help them take in what we are saying with the greatest effectiveness. It was great to be able to learn this life skill in having to captivate a targeted audience.
Also at this workshop we had the opportunity to meet high school students from New Jersey who have invited us to help them create a Neural Activity program just like the one in Mesa County. It was a pleasure to be able to see how the program was not only growing locally, but at a national level.
Our activity for the winter workshop was going snowshoeing and building quinces in the snow. This task taught each and every one of us the importance of teamwork and perseverance as we helped each other to create a shelter in the snow during a blizzard in the mountains. I am so lucky to have such a great crew behind me as we work to grow Neural Activity and use our activities as a way of showing middle school students that there are other ways to have fun than using synthetic highs through drugs.
Also at this workshop we had the opportunity to meet high school students from New Jersey who have invited us to help them create a Neural Activity program just like the one in Mesa County. It was a pleasure to be able to see how the program was not only growing locally, but at a national level.
Our activity for the winter workshop was going snowshoeing and building quinces in the snow. This task taught each and every one of us the importance of teamwork and perseverance as we helped each other to create a shelter in the snow during a blizzard in the mountains. I am so lucky to have such a great crew behind me as we work to grow Neural Activity and use our activities as a way of showing middle school students that there are other ways to have fun than using synthetic highs through drugs.
Update: September/October
During our October meeting it was announced to the rest of the Neural Activity group that we had reached our fundraising goal of $5,000. This was reached through numerous fundraising events such as a 5K race, selling discount cards, and receiving donations from countless other organizations in town. Because Neural Activity met this goal we received another $5,000 from another organization. We are so blessed to have such community support in this endeavor. Neural Activity started planning more fundraisers for future months and we have given multiple presentations to middle schools all over the valley.
We welcomed many new members from all over the valley to help in the prevention of drug use in teens. We are excited for what the next months have to come.
We welcomed many new members from all over the valley to help in the prevention of drug use in teens. We are excited for what the next months have to come.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Update: August 2014
It's time for the monthly meeting with the Neural Activity crew for 2014-2015. Today is the day where I will be running for President of the Mesa County Neural Activity club. I gave my speech and was voted as the President unanimously. I am so excited for what this year will bring and what I will be able to bring to the club as a whole. I hope to stretch my leadership skills to the fullest of their potential as well as serve as a role model for the people in the group.
During this meeting we set dates for fundraisers and found out we had to raise a minimum of $5000 before the end of December in order to receive additional funding from the county. But we took the challenge in stride, and we are excited to move this organization forward and to the next level! We formed an executive team made up of the President, Vice-President, and the club chairs and treasures from each school. There is also a representative from both the street team and action team in order to help the executives stay filled in on the activities of each team. It is estimated that Neural Activity has grown from 8 members last year to over 100+ this year! We are proud to say this program is taking off and we are a part of the group that helped to make it all happen!
During this meeting we set dates for fundraisers and found out we had to raise a minimum of $5000 before the end of December in order to receive additional funding from the county. But we took the challenge in stride, and we are excited to move this organization forward and to the next level! We formed an executive team made up of the President, Vice-President, and the club chairs and treasures from each school. There is also a representative from both the street team and action team in order to help the executives stay filled in on the activities of each team. It is estimated that Neural Activity has grown from 8 members last year to over 100+ this year! We are proud to say this program is taking off and we are a part of the group that helped to make it all happen!
Summer Workshop 2014
It's a new year, with a new crew, with new ideas, and new visions for the future. It's time to bring Neural Activity to the next level, and we are ready for the challenge!
For our summer workshop we decided to head to Crested Butte, Colorado where we experienced many adventures, learned many skills for teaching middle school classes and had the abilitiy to learn new knowledge as well.
A quick overview of our workshop!
Day 1-
We headed to Crested Butte and went rock climbing up the side of Mt. Crested Butte and then proceeded to repel down the side. It was such a great experience and it gave the ultimate feeling of gratification when we reached the top of the 12000 ft mountain. Then we went back to the cabins where we had a class on purely marijuana. It was in-depth and helped us to better understand the downsides of the drug. Then the returning crew headed out to talk about fundraising ideas that would have to be carried out later in the year.
Day 2-
Today my group had the opportunity to go Zip-lining! This helped us to face our fears much like the push it takes to be able to push past fears such as public speaking when we are presenting to the middle school students. After we went on the Zip-lining tour we came back and had to do research for the rest of the day on different studies that had been done based on the effects of marijuana. We had a great time working together to try and put together presentations for the rest of the group on the research. This tested our group work skills as well as our ability to put together presentations.
Day 3-
This is the last day of the trip and my group is up to go white water rafting! This was by far my favorite part of the whole workshop in terms of adventure activities. It was challenging and during many parts of it I was really and honestly scared. We were in a purely female group trying to make our way through rapids with one male guide--lets just say he had his hands full! We spent the rest of the day listening to Chad lecture on the importance of helping the younger teens that we do and presenting to us the best way to make connections with them through our presentations.
All in all the workshop was a success! It gave us returners a chance to meet and bond with the newbies. We learned so much about the effects of drugs on the body and brain and found even more motivation to help the younger teens in Mesa County. I'm so thankful for the Mesa County law enforcement and our other sponsors within the area because without them this opportunity would not have been possible! Thank you!!
For our summer workshop we decided to head to Crested Butte, Colorado where we experienced many adventures, learned many skills for teaching middle school classes and had the abilitiy to learn new knowledge as well.
A quick overview of our workshop!
Day 1-
We headed to Crested Butte and went rock climbing up the side of Mt. Crested Butte and then proceeded to repel down the side. It was such a great experience and it gave the ultimate feeling of gratification when we reached the top of the 12000 ft mountain. Then we went back to the cabins where we had a class on purely marijuana. It was in-depth and helped us to better understand the downsides of the drug. Then the returning crew headed out to talk about fundraising ideas that would have to be carried out later in the year.
Day 2-
Today my group had the opportunity to go Zip-lining! This helped us to face our fears much like the push it takes to be able to push past fears such as public speaking when we are presenting to the middle school students. After we went on the Zip-lining tour we came back and had to do research for the rest of the day on different studies that had been done based on the effects of marijuana. We had a great time working together to try and put together presentations for the rest of the group on the research. This tested our group work skills as well as our ability to put together presentations.
Day 3-
This is the last day of the trip and my group is up to go white water rafting! This was by far my favorite part of the whole workshop in terms of adventure activities. It was challenging and during many parts of it I was really and honestly scared. We were in a purely female group trying to make our way through rapids with one male guide--lets just say he had his hands full! We spent the rest of the day listening to Chad lecture on the importance of helping the younger teens that we do and presenting to us the best way to make connections with them through our presentations.
All in all the workshop was a success! It gave us returners a chance to meet and bond with the newbies. We learned so much about the effects of drugs on the body and brain and found even more motivation to help the younger teens in Mesa County. I'm so thankful for the Mesa County law enforcement and our other sponsors within the area because without them this opportunity would not have been possible! Thank you!!
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Coverage for the Year: Neural Activity 2013-2014
Here are multiple stories covering the Neural Activity movement and growth throughout Mesa County. This stars the people involved with the group throughout the year. Enjoy.
T3 (Teens Teaching Teens) Crew Interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoCZfAIMNt4
Activities Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WYYJ4iH9I8
The next activity for Neural Activity was rappelling in Moab, Utah. It was a great way to get the dopamine flowing and the natural reward pathway working hard. Here is a video that shows our adventure through the slot canyon and down the natural bridges.
Picture show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c18MkC_shLA
Media Coverage: http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Teens-teach-about-drug-and-alcohol-effects-260620811.html
T3 (Teens Teaching Teens) Crew Interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoCZfAIMNt4
Activities Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WYYJ4iH9I8
The next activity for Neural Activity was rappelling in Moab, Utah. It was a great way to get the dopamine flowing and the natural reward pathway working hard. Here is a video that shows our adventure through the slot canyon and down the natural bridges.
Picture show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c18MkC_shLA
Media Coverage: http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Teens-teach-about-drug-and-alcohol-effects-260620811.html
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