{"id":9902,"date":"2014-07-10T05:00:23","date_gmt":"2014-07-10T12:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=9902"},"modified":"2026-02-22T15:44:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T23:44:25","slug":"learning-naturally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/learning-naturally\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning, Naturally"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1-1EMI6229\"Yardi\u2019s\u00a0former Vice President of Client Services, Michelle Howard, now serves as Development Director at Wilderness Youth Project (WYP). Her passion for the environment prompted the career change. Yet after nine years of service, she has realized that the nonprofit\u2019s scope extends beyond Mother Nature: WYP prepares children for a future in environmental stewardship while simultaneously closing the achievement gap. \u201cOur nature programs are a tool to accomplish so much more,\u201d says Howard.<\/p>\n

The Wilderness Youth Project uses educational outdoor excursions to improve children\u2019s chances for academic and social success. Programs enrich the lives of students in three areas.<\/p>\n

Reversing Nature-Deficit Disorder<\/b><\/p>\n

Children spend 90 percent of their time indoors. This disconnect with nature, or nature-deficit disorder as many now call it, can result in higher stress levels, hyperactivity, depression, anxiety, mental and physical fatigue.<\/p>\n

Research demonstrates that children\u2019s propensity for stress and symptoms of ADD\/ADHD decreases when they spend time in nature. A\u00a0study<\/a>\u00a0by the University of Illinois suggests that exposure to nature improves mood, cognitive functioning, and self-discipline.<\/p>\n

WYP offers programs throughout the year to help families reconnect with the natural environment, paving the way for improved mental and physical health. Activities range from calming hikes and wildlife studies to more rigorous lessons in survival skills and team sports.<\/p>\n

\"1-IMGP2502\"Fighting the Summer Slide<\/b><\/p>\n

Once the school year ends, children are faced with a\u00a0gap in their education<\/a>. Howard\u00a0explains, \u201cIf you take kids from middle income families that have access to resources and compare them to similar kids living in poverty\u2014both can have the same education at the end of the semester with the same grades\u2014but when they come back together in the fall the kids who have access to summer enrichment resources are significantly ahead of the kids who don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0The difference is called the\u00a0summer slide<\/a>. A lack of intellectual stimulation during the summer can prove to be detrimental during the next school year, causing cumulative setbacks in education.<\/p>\n

Children living at poverty level often lack the resources needed to participate in summer enrichment activities. Of the 600 youth that participate in the WYP each year, 60 percent receive scholarship assistance. Students of all socio-economic statuses are given the opportunity to fight the summer slide by continuing their education year round.<\/p>\n

Mentorship<\/b><\/p>\n

Mentors are WYP\u2019s secret weapons. At first glance, they seem like harmless, tree hugging idealists. The reality is that they\u2019re equipped\u00a0with the tools needed to encourage confidence, self-discipline, and balance in youth. WYP\u2019s mentors are their greatest assets.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a0Developmental Assets study<\/a>\u00a0is so interesting,\u201d says Howard. \u201cSome of the assets fall under education but a lot have to do with what\u2019s happening after school and who it happens with.\u00a0 One strong conclusion is that kids who have access to adult mentors who aren\u2019t family members have a better chance of succeeding in life.\u201d Children with non-familial mentors develop skill sets that ultimately lead to better decision making in social, academic, and professional settings.\"1-SammyMoonSunset\"<\/p>\n

The duration of WYP programs enables camp leaders to become mentors, rather than adults passing through. WYP courses last \u00a0three to nine months. There are many kids who return year after year. During this time, kids find adults that they can relate to, form friendships with, and learn from in a nonthreatening environment. Several program participants have grown up to become WYP volunteer counselors and staff members. \u201cWhen that happens, that\u2019s a really beautiful measurement of success and a marker for our development,\u201d says Howard.<\/p>\n

WYP\u2019s trilateral approach reaches youth across the demographic spectrum, promoting achievement amongst all participants. \u201cSome may think we\u2019re just playing in the dirt,\u201d laughs Howard, \u201cbut that\u2019s just the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

To empower tomorrow\u2019s leaders, join Yardi in supporting<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0Wilderness Youth Project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yardi\u2019s\u00a0former Vice President of Client Services, Michelle Howard, now serves as Development Director at Wilderness Youth Project (WYP). Her passion for the environment prompted the career change. Yet after nine years of service, she has realized that the nonprofit\u2019s scope extends beyond Mother Nature: WYP prepares children for a future in environmental stewardship while simultaneously […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":440,"featured_media":9931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_s2mail":"yes","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1717,3380,5,3354],"tags":[98],"class_list":["post-9902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-giving","category-learning","category-people","category-team-yardi","tag-yardi-corporate-philanthropy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYardi Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yardi\u2019s\u00a0former Vice President of Client Services, Michelle Howard, now serves as Development Director at Wilderness Youth Project (WYP). 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