Join Us at Georgia Teen Institute 2014!

Team Registration is Open!

We would love to see Youth Action Teams from across the state of Georgia join us at Oxford College this summer as we proudly celebrate our 26th year! Come help us Make it Matter in 2014.

Georgia Teen Institute (GTI) is an inspiring, motivational and meaningful leadership training program for middle and high school students with a focus on teaching youth-adult teams how to use the Strategic Prevention Framework to plan and implement projects in their home communities related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention, community engagement and other pertinent issues. GTI is a dynamic, fun and innovative way for middle and high school students and adult advisors to learn new skills, meet new people and become empowered to create change in their communities and schools.

WHEN?

Your choice!

Week 1: June 9-12 or Week 2: June 17-20

WHERE? 

Oxford College

100 Hamill Street

Oxford, GA 30054

WHO?

Youth leaders and their adult advisors who want to make a difference in their home communities! A team is generally comprised of at least four youth and must have at least one adult as a team member. If a team is co-ed, you must have a male and a female adult attend for supervision purposes. Youth members must be enrolled in grades 7-12 for the 2014 – 2015 school year. Neither youth nor adults should be currently experiencing a substance abuse or significant mental health problem.

HOW MUCH?

Early Bird Rate for those registered by April 11 at  5 pm: $385 per participant, youth or adult.*  

Regular Rate for those registered after April 11 at 5 pm: $450 per participant, youth or adult*

*Adults may request a single room at the rate of $50 per room.

For more information you can click here and it will provide more details, the registration packet and requirements associated with attending Georgia Teen Institute 2014. Space is limited, so make sure you get your registration packet in as soon as possible!

We cannot wait to see you at #GeorgiaTI2014 and help us Make it Matter!

Volunteer Spotlight: John Lee McNair

Georgia Teen Institute (GTI), like all of our programs, could not run without the incredible volunteers who support us. John Lee is one of the fantastic Adult Advisors who has participated in GTI in various capacities, and each year he makes more of a positive impact. John Lee heard about Georgia Teen Institute through his agency, the Catoosa Prevention Initiative. His supervisor was looking for someone to bring a group of high school students to a summer camp, and he stepped up to the plate. He has not looked back. He has been the fantastic Adult Advisor for the Dual County Defenders ever since. This year will be John Lee’s third summer attending GTI, and he is already doing great things for the program. All of the general sessions will be planned by John Lee and it is sure to be an exciting week, full of high quality entertainment and fun!

When John Lee was asked about his favorite GTI memory, he shared that in 2013 he had a Family Group that bonded instantly. By the last day, their connection was very close; it was a little emotional for the group members to wrap up the final activity. This event stuck out to John Lee because it showed him how big of an impact he could have on a youth’s life in a matter of a few short days. This event and his passion for working with youth is what brings him back to GTI year after year.

GTI is forever thankful for John Lee because he truly has a passion for working with youth. He strongly believes that there are not enough examples of good role models and positive influences for them, and he tries to be that in the lives of the young people he works with. GTI helps fill the gap that many young people have, and John Lee is a true example of a positive role model in his community. John Lee couldn’t pick just one volunteer activity he enjoyed the most because each one has allowed him the opportunity to talk to youth one on one. This interaction allows for a better understanding of where the youth are coming from and how he can help them.

Attending GTI has had a positive impact in John Lee’s professional life, too. It has allowed him to add many tools to his toolbox, including methods to teach in classrooms and facilitate with his Youth Action Team. He uses many of the activities and methods to implement in his workplace to help make him be more effective in his career. Some of his favorite activities are Shake Down and using the Caboodle Cards.

John Lee encourages anyone to attend GTI because “this is an opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone and expand your leadership skills. It is a chance for you to learn from the very people you are trying to reach. It is the best two week family reunion you will ever experience.”

To join John Lee and other incredible volunteers from across the state, submit your 2014 Georgia Teen Institute Volunteer application by April 1. Download your application today and “Make It Matter” to the youth in your community.

Volunteers Needed! Make it Matter at #GeorgiaTI2014

Georgia Teen Institute will be celebrating its 26th year this summer, but it cannot happen without all of our fabulous volunteers. Our volunteers make everything possible! Are you interested in volunteering and to really Make it Matter this summer? As a member of the GTI Volunteer Staff, you would be part of the reason that GTI runs smoothly, makes a difference in so many lives and is so incredibly successful.

All of our staff work around the clock and are possibly the greatest group of youth, young adults and adults the state of Georgia has to offer. Our GTI 2014 Youth and College Age Staff have been selected – but we still need YOU to join us!  If you are interested and would like to be a volunteer, you should fit the following requirements:

• Be at least one year out of high school
• Be tobacco and other drug free
• If you are over the age of 21, and choose to use alcohol, you do so responsibly
• Satisfactorily complete a fingerprinting process
• Be able to participate in some (or all) of GTI 2014

Please consider filling out the volunteer application that you will find here!  There are a number of ways that you can volunteer with GTI, based on your experience and availability. Some examples can include the facilitation of team building activities, greet workshop presenters, help staff our Georgia Tot Institute, take pictures and zillions of other behind-the-scene jobs.

GTI 2014 will take place at Oxford College in Oxford, Georgia on the following dates:

• Staff Report/Training Weekend:  Friday, June 6 – Sunday June, 8
• Week 1 of GTI 2014:  Monday, June 9 – Thursday June, 12
• Week 2 of GTI 2014:  Tuesday, June 17 – Friday June 20

Fill out your application today!  Our Volunteer Liaison, Elliott Walker, will contact you as soon as we receive your application to set up your interview. Hurry, the deadline is May 1!

Don’t miss the opportunity to positively impact lives of hundreds of youth and adults from across the state of Georgia. Join our staff in engaging youth in pertinent issues such as the prevention of underage drinking, bullying, tobacco use, and teen pregnancy and the promotion of community engagement and volunteerism. Additionally, you will gain valuable leadership skills, experience and a new network of people who share a similar passion.

We look forward to receiving your application soon!

2014 Georgia Teen Institute Staff Applications Available Now

The Georgia Teen Institute Staff are the number one reason that participants return year after year, and the biggest reason GTI is so successful!  Come make it matter and become a part of the 2014 GTI Staff!

Deadline for all applications: January 6, 2014 (but we LOVE early applications)!

For more details about the program, click here and to download your application go to the GUIDE, Inc. website today!