What is Challenge Education?
The Huston Center Challenge Education program utilizes problem solving initiatives. These activities can assist in promoting awareness and producing positive change in individual and group behavior. Each initiative focuses on various group issues such as building trust, cooperation, teamwork, decision making, conflict resolution techniques, and effective communication skills.
"I also learned that you should trust, help, support and brain-storm with your teammates and you will accomplish any obstacle." - James
Challenge Education follows a sequential approach to learning. This sequence consists of goal setting, awareness, trust, cooperation, problem solving, group challenge, and extended challenge (Robb: Havens and Witman, 1983). Sequential learning allows the group to progress through various levels of group development. Groups will then take what they have learned from one activity and apply it to the next challenge.
"We learned that we have to communicate more and to listen to one another's ideas." -Virginia
Challenge Education has been effective with people of all ages and various types of groups.
church groups
leadership development
administrative staff
sports teams
recovery groups
treatment programs
schools and university groups
"I think your program is great. You should extend the program to other schools like ours." -Luke
Goals
The Challenge Education program promotes the following goals: Improve Group Cooperation, Increase Self Esteem, Learn Problems Solving Skills, Build Confidence, Increase Leadership Abilities, Develop Trust and Have Fun! The Huston Center staff are happy to work with you to create a set of goals appropriate to your group.
How Will We Learn?
Challenge Education is experiential in nature. Instead of attending lectures on how to be an effective team or a more cooperative group
member, participants learn through hands-on involvement.
Each activity is followed by a brief period of group processing. This allows group members the opportunity to share what they have just experienced. Through sharing and discussion, group members discover how they can apply what they have learned to true life situations.
"I want to thank you for helping my class become better friends." -Juliet
Challenge Education is designed to meet the needs and abilities of each group.
The length of the program varies from three to six hours.
It can be held in conjunction with a conference group stay.
Programs are available for any nonprofit organization including churches, schools and many adult groups.
Groups are facilitated by Huston Center Staff with training in leading Challenge Education activities.
All of the facilitators have First Aid and CPR certification.