Background

We work in public elementary, middle and alternative high schools. Program participants are identified by the school administration as at-risk of dropping out at an early age because of low academic achievement, poor attendance and/or behavior issues.

Vacamas' TOP offers students attendance incentives and activities, including after-school programs and homework assistance, trips to cultural and historical sites, and monthly weekends at Camp Vacamas. Each TOP school has Vacamas facilitators on site to support the students and act as their advocates. Vacamas staff members are also responsible for engaging parents or guardians to encourage their children in achieving their academic goals.

Philosophy & Goals

Vacamas' Mission is to offer a Drop-Out Prevention Program with the following elements:

• To reach out to children who, due to a variety of circumstances, are at-risk of dropping out of school at an early age.
• To assist families in identifying and securing resources available to assist their children.
• To provide quality services and activities that will stimulate the development of self-discipline, self-respect and self-confidence.
• To empower young people and their families to make positive life choices and to assist them in identifying and enhancing the skills necessary to become productive members of their communities and society at large.

Services

TOP participants are eligible to receive all of the following in-school services:

• Daily Attendance Monitoring
• Family Involvement Outreach
• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Academic Intervention
• Academic Enrichment
• Arts Enrichment
• Conflict Mediation
• Higher Education and Career Exploration
• Recreation and Sports
• Development of positive communication, leadership and socializations skills
• High School Preparation

In addition, every TOP student is invited to Camp Vacamas once a month to utilize our large open space areas and participate in specialized program to develop:

• Team-building skills
• Environmental awareness
• Academic enrichment
• Community living skills
• Improved listening and communication skills
• Cooperation and group work
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Group and individual goal-setting skills

Settings

TOP settings are schools that have been identified under Title I. Weekend programs are held at Camp Vacamas, which is located on 230 wooded acres in rural West Milford, New Jersey, only 45 minutes from mid-town Manhattan. Numerous hiking trails and overnight camping sites enhance our outdoor learning and nature programs. Camp Vacamas is just a short walk from the Appalachian Trail. Certified instructors supervise our high and low ropes course and climbing walls.

Staff

Vacamas' diverse multicultural staff come from all 50 states and from throughout the world. We strive to hire individuals who have a background in social work, education, psychology or a related field. All staff is finger-printed as required by the Department of Education. Our school-based staff members all have extensive experience working with inner-city populations and are mindful of the special needs associated with at-risk youngsters.

For more information about Vacamas Drop-Out Prevention programs, please contact our Program Director Wilson Santos at wilsonsan@optonline.net.

QUESTIONS?

You can contact us at any time if you have questions about our camps, our programs, donations or anything else.