What is the history of Voyager Youth?
In 1997, a group of local parents saw that there was little for kids to do in the hours and days when school was not in session. They collaborated to fill the gap with a small summer day camp. The community response was strong, and they learned that enrichment programs like their camp do much more than keep kids busy: they are a critical factor in preventing a wide range of behaviors that keep kids from fulfilling their healthiest and best potentials. A group of volunteers quickly evolved into a 501(C)3 nonprofit dedicated to developing a wide range of enrichment and prevention educations programs that help youth to achieve healthy lives. The organization's title described the scope and approach to prevention work: the Ouray County Schools Community Resource Consortium. You can probably guess, with an official name like that, why we do business as Voyager!
What program are being offered at Voyager?
We have a handful of programs:
Ridgway After School Program: The Ridgway After School Program provides enrichment care for children ages 5 to 11, Mondays to Thursdays, during the academic year after school until 5:30pm, and on full days 8am to 5:30pm during school holidays.
Ouray After School Program: The Ridgway After School Program provides enrichment care for children ages 5 to 11, Mondays to Thursdays, during the academic year after school until 5:30pm, and is based out of the Ouray school. During school holidays, transportation and full day care for Ouray kids, 8am to 5:30pm, is offered at Voyager’s campus in Ridgway.
PreK After School Program: The preschool program for 3 and 4 year-olds is based out of Voyager’s licensed center in Ridgway. It is open Mondays to Thursdays during the academic year after school until 5:30pm and on full days 8am to 5:30pm during school holidays. This enrichment program builds social-emotional skills and positive problem solving, promotes fine and gross motor development, creative learning, and outdoor play. The program establishes routines, responsibility and prepares toddlers for transitioning to local schools.
Teen Events: It is simple: teens want to have fun! The idea behind teen events is to diversify entertainment and activity options for Ouray County teens - activities that are safe, substance free, engaging and fun. The vision is to bring youth together to connect with each other, build positive peer networks and supports for healthy behaviors. The events are envisioned by teens, some are recurring, others are intermittent. All are free of charge.
The H.U.B.B.: Help Us Break Boredom aka The HUBB is a teen activity and civic engagement clearinghouse created by teens for teens. The vision of The HUBB is for local youth to be the change in their community. They work to increase access to healthy choices where youth live, learn, work and play. Their primary goals are to create safe community spaces and activities for youth and to increase youth voice in the community by engaging in leadership, service and advocacy.
Summer Adventures:
The summer adventures are one-day or multi-day trips for 11 to 17 year-olds across western Colorado and the Four Corners region. The trips vary annually so reference the links below for specific details. The trips are designed to get teens outdoors and connect them to nature, each other and trusted adults. For many teens, these are first-time experiences that build new skills, confidence and self-esteem. For seasoned adventurers, the trips deepen peer connections, build personal responsibility and leadership skills.
Adventure Wednesdays are one-day trips on Wednesdays when multi-day trips are not scheduled. Trips may include zip-lining, climbing, jeep tours, horseback riding, hiking, water sports, art workshops, paintball, and recreation trips to Grand Junction. Multi-day trips are 3 to 5 days long that immerse participants in an outdoor activity. Example trips include climbing and canyoneering, white water rafting, and hut-based hiking.
What is Communities that Care?
Communities that Care (CTC) is a proven evidence-based system that fosters the reduction of youth violence, delinquency and substance abuse in communities. Communities That Care guides communities through a proven five-phase change process. Using prevention science as its base, CTC promotes healthy youth development, improves youth outcomes, and reduces problem behaviors.
Do you have any upcoming events this month?
Mental Health is important to our community and is part of the Voyager Youth mission. We are hosting a Ouray County Mental Health Fair on Saturday, March 9th at the Ouray Community Center (320 6th Ave, Ouray) from 4pm to 7pm. There will be resources, education, music, potluck and licensed professionals.
