EXPLORING / LEARNING FOR LIFE

Learning For Life

Learning For Life Consultant: Paul Garrison
B: 610-926-3406
email:

Nearly 200 "Learning for Life" career programs were presented to thousands of students in
36 middle and high schools in Hawk Mountain Council this past school year.

Many thanks to the dozens of volunteers who made presentations and a special
thanks to Sally Horton, Ronald Sprickler, and Butch and Louise Flexer
for the coordination of these presentations and site trips.

Thanks to all who helped many area youths to "Be Prepared"!
 

The Learning for Life programs currently operate in the following school districts: Reading High, Muhlenberg High, Marion High, Mahanoy High, and LaSalle Academy.  Also taking part are middle schools at Reading, Schuylkill Valley, Twin Valley, Brandywine Heights, Fleetwood, Wilson, Oley Valley, D.H.H. Lengel and Tamaqua.  In addition to using the character-based ethics building lesson plans in their elementary schools, these school districts are also utilizing Hawk Mountain Council's Learning for Life speakers database in their junior and senior high schools. This database contains approximately 800 speakers who have expressed an interest in visiting our Learning for Life schools to provide a 40-minute presentation to a classroom-sized group about their job. The speakers talk about what they do on a day-to-day basis, the good things and bad things about their job, the training required to do the job, the salary range just to name a few. Whenever possible, the speakers take along some of their tools of the trade for a show and tell. Some speakers also use audiovisual aids. Hawk Mountain Council's Learning For Life representatives schedule the speakers. The Council is currently looking to expand the speakers' database. Please contact Paul at the Council Service Center at 610-926-3406 or complete and return the sign-up form below.

There are two components to the Learning For Life program:

1. Lesson Plans-These are age appropriate and grade specific lesson plans for grades K-12 and special needs. These lessons are easily integrated into the school's existing curriculum.
2. Career Awareness-This program allows students to hear personal experiences and ask direct questions of people in the work place. These speakers work in various businesses and organizations right here in our community.

The Learning for Life Career Awareness Program is in need of speakers from all professions. If you would be willing to speak to a class, please contact Paul at the Council Service Center (610) 926-3406.

Learning for Life provides comprehensive age-appropriate, grade-specific lesson plans that support a school's core curriculum. Currently, more that 1.3 million students participate in kindergarten through 12th grade programs nationwide.

In addition to elementary, junior high, middle school and high school programs, Learning for Life has a special-needs curriculum enabling youth with disabilities to learn life skills they need to achieve self sufficiency. It's worksite-based program, Exploring, gives youth an opportunity to visit community organizations and explore various careers.

Some of the benefits of Learning for Life include helping youth to:

• Build self-worth and self-confidence
• Build self-reliance and self-discipline
• Develop a sense of personal and social responsibility
• Learn the value of helping others
• Learn to have respect for themselves and others
• Develop a greater sense of personal achievement
• Develop pride in both mental and physical growth

For more information about the various programs available through Learning for Life visit the Learning for Life Web site  or contact the Hawk Mountain Council Service Center at 610-926-3406.

Exploring

Exploring is a worksite-based program. It is part of Learning for Life's career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. Explorer posts can specialize in a variety of career skills, including the following: Fire Service, Business, Skilled Trades, Law & Government, Law Enforcement, Health, Communications, Engineering, Science, Aviation, Arts & Humanities, and Social Services.

Council Exploring Specialty Posts

Post 480 - Health Careers at the St. Joseph's Hospital.  Contact Tricia Vaughan, 610-378-2187.
Post 275 - Health Careers at the Reading Hospital.  Contact Mary Balthaser, 610-988-4319.
Post 647 - Health Careers at the Good Samaritan Hospital.  Contact Dennis Orthaus, 570-621-4064.
Post 485 - Journalism, Professional Writing Careers at the Reading Eagle offices.  Contact Karen Miller, 610-371-5052.
Post 320 - Dentistry Careers at the office of Dr. D.J. Henschel.  Call 610-777-6545 for information.
Post 221 - Lawyer Careers at the office of Eric Strahn.  Call 610-779-3830 for information.
Post 345 - Cosmetology Careers at Empire Beauty School.  Contact Michelle Schittler, 610-372-2777.

To learn more about Exploring, visit the National Learning For Life Exploring Site.

If you would like to find a Explorer Post nearby or start one, call our Council Service Center at 610-926-3406 or send e-mail to .