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Saratoga Partnership for Prevention Youth
and Adults Working Together for a
This annual, week-long day camp for fifth graders entering Maple Avenue Middle School in the fall features the usual fun summer camp activities: games, crafts, sports, and special event clinics. But it also includes nine interactive All-Stars curriculum components, in which students discuss personal ideals and goals, examine the norms of their peers, and make personal commitments to remain alcohol and drug free. The last day of camp each week will feature a field trip to the middle school, where students will tour the building, participate in a treasure hunt, experiment with locker combinations, and discuss middle school academics and culture with school staff and current students. Rated a model program by the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, All-Stars has confirmed, long-lasting results in reducing alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, violence, and sexual activity among middle school-age students. But it’s also a fun program that builds on the information and skills acquired in the 5th grade D.A.R.E. program. The program also has a parent component, which includes a booklet called, "When It Comes From You." Campers will bring home a folder from camp each day as well, so they can share the worksheets and discussion covered in All Stars each day with their parents/caregivers.
What is All Stars? What is All Stars?All Stars is a curriculum designed to prevent alcohol and drug use, violence, and premature sexual activity among middle school youth. The All Stars curriculum focuses on five strategies that research indicates will decrease young people’s chances of being involved in these behaviors. What are the five All Stars Strategies?
Who developed All Stars?William Hansen, Ph.D., of Tanglewood Research in North Carolina is the author of the All Stars curriculum. He identified the prevention strategies that have the greatest potential to influence whether a young person, especially between the ages of 10 and 15, will start to use drugs. These strategies form the basis of All Stars. What age is All Stars designed for?All Stars is designed for middle school age youth who do not regularly use or have not yet begun to experiment with alcohol or drugs. Early adolescence is the critical period for the onset of substance use and other risky behaviors. Studies show that, unless countered with a strong preventive intervention, protective qualities erode during this period. What is the goal of All Stars?The goal of All Stars is to delay the onset of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. In other words, to keep young people free of alcohol and drug use as long as possible. This is the outcome of the five research strategies that All Stars is based upon. How are parents involved in All Stars?The All Stars parent component encourages youth and parent interaction through parent/child homework assignments. How is All Stars delivered?The curriculum is delivered on-site by trained All Stars facilitators. A two-day facilitator training program prepares individuals, identified by the school, to deliver the program effectively. Aren't schools already doing prevention programming?Yes, but many of them are also asking for guidance on how to be even more successful with their efforts. All Stars offers them a program based on the most recent research, an evaluation component to show its impact, a training process that ensures the program will continue within their school, and ongoing technical assistance. What makes All Stars different from other prevention curricula?
Does it really work?Yes! Initial independent evaluations of All Stars that have been reported by Dr. Nancy Harrington and her colleagues at the University of Kentucky reveal important changes in student behaviors. Findings show that All Stars students had significantly lower incidence of drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, and physical aggression than control group students. For more information
Visit the All Stars web site at www.tanglewood.net.
To learn more about ALL STARS, contact: Kathleen Nelson-Simley, Community Recruiter/ALL
STARS Coordinator, PO Box 5512, Lincoln, NE 68508-5512 ks21727@navix.net
How did All
Stars become available in the Saratoga community? All Stars Camp grew out of a collaborative effort of the Saratoga Springs City School District, the Saratoga Springs City Police Department and The Prevention Council, all organizations that are key partners of the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention. The camp was developed in response to needs identified through local surveys, which show that the middle school transition years are critical in determining behavioral outcomes in later adolescence.
What is the Saratoga Partnership
for Prevention? Area Collaborators
DARE
All-Stars camp could never happen without the community-minded efforts of many area
organizations and individuals. The Partnership would like to recognize the organizations
below for their contributions since 2002:
Airway Meadows Golf Course
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