The Georgia Teen Institute (GTI) summer conference for middle and high school youth action teams is a dynamic and fun way for youth and adults to learn new skills, meet new friends and become empowered to create change in their home schools and communities.

GTI is ideally suited for new or existing youth action teams that intend to continue working together after their participation in the summer training.  The goal of the program is to prepare Youth Action Teams to successfully plan and implement peer-focused prevention strategies to reduce underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and similar problem behaviors and to promote civic engagement and volunteerism.  Youth Action Teams (YATs) comprised of youth and at least one adult learn how to work together to identify and address needs in their communities and plan successful, evidence-based strategies.  YATs may be school or community based.  For more information on who should come to GTI.

Several model and research-based programs provide the framework for GTI.  The Communities That Care Social Development Model provides the basic elements of the teen institute model, which include:

• An all-encompassing focus on healthy beliefs and clear standards

• Opportunities for pro-social bonding, attachment & commitment

• Life skills training for healthy lifestyle choices

• Meaningful opportunities to participate actively

• Recognition and reinforcement for learning and applying life skills

The Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol, a CSAP model program, and Loftquist’s Technology of Prevention provide the framework for community organizing around the issue of underage alcohol, tobacco and drug use.  YATs use elements of these strategies to begin their organizing at GTI and continue following through on them when they return home.

At GTI, teams participate in a variety of activities throughout each day that are designed to teach organizational and life skills and prevention strategies in a pro-social and fun atmosphere.  Each day at GTI, there is time for team action planning, reflection, networking, skill and knowledge building and social interaction.  A typical day consists of:

Team Meetings

Each team will meet once or twice a day to begin the process of team-building, assessing local needs and strengths, and developing a plan of action to direct their efforts in the coming year.  Teams are facilitated by trained GTI Youth Staff with the help of the teams’ Adult Advisors.  Team meetings follow the Strategic Prevention Framework model.

General Sessions

Participants gather once or twice a day to hear pertinent announcements, information about the day and hear a motivational or informational speaker about a prevention topic or issue.

Family Groups

All youth are randomly placed in Family Groups.  Ideally, no youth will be in a Family Group with another youth from his or her team.  Groups engage in discussion and reflection, games and activities designed to build skills, friendships and self-esteem, while encouraging networking among youth from diverse backgrounds and other areas of the state.  Adults will have the option to participate in an Adult Family Group.

Leadership and Life Skills Training

All teams attend training sessions that focus on individual skill building and leadership development as well as teamwork, community organizing and effective team action.  During these sessions, teams learn to identify and use strategies that fall under the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol, Communities that Care, and other evidence-based prevention strategies.

Elective Workshops

All participants, youth and adults, can choose from a variety of elective workshops offered several times during the week.  Topics range from effective peer-focused prevention strategies to other health, safety and wellness information pertinent to youth, youth action teams and adults who work with youth.

Free Time

Structured free time activities are built in the daily schedule.  Every afternoon, participants can choose from a variety of recreational activities from arts and crafts to basketball, swimming, volleyball or tennis for an hour or two.  Free time varies from day to day, but allows time for participants to unwind with their teammates and others in supervised settings.

Think that GTI is for you and your Youth Action Team?

Click here to find out how to register!