Common Ground’s YALP program coordinator seeks participants for summer sessions

Common Ground Outdoor Adventure’s summer program for young adults with disabilities ages 17-24 is now accepting applications for participants.

The program, known as YALP (Youth Adventure Leadership Program), is designed to help young adults with disabilities who could hold a job, build confidence and job-related skills as they branch out of their comfort zone. Three sessions will be held throughout the course of the summer. Each session will be held everyday for three weeks, ending with an overnight camping trip where all previously learned skills are applied and challenged.

“I know that these students exist. It’s like a treasure hunt. I want to find them because I know it will change their lives,” said Megan Deane, the YALP program coordinator.

Deane has been visiting high schools throughout the valley notifying parents and students of YALP. Interested participants are encouraged to visit Common Ground’s website where more information regarding the specific dates may be found. Applications can also be downloaded on the website. Applications can be turned in to the provided email or at the Common Ground office located at 335 North 100 East in Logan.

Activities like hiking, volunteering at various organizations in Cache Valley, rock climbing, rafting, biking, resume writing and learning how to use the local bus systems will promote independence and build confidence. Each of the outdoor activities will progressively get harder as the weeks go by, challenging participants to new heights and expanding their expectations for what they can achieve.

At the end of each session, participants will be certified in bike maintenance, leave no trace, swift water rescue and will have a food handler’s permit as well as belay certification.

Deane hopes to have internships available for participants, helping them transition into a more productive independent lifestyle. Deane hopes to not only change the participants’ views of what can be accomplished, but also employers’.

“We hope to present them with a lot more options than they thought were possible,” Deane said. “I think sometimes we underestimate people's abilities.”

This summer marks YALP’s third year in promoting independence and challenging self perception. In past years, participants have been placed in jobs and internships throughout the valley, including the Willow Park Zoo.

“It’s really cool to see a change in employers as well as clients,” said Bryce Patten, director of Common Grounds Outdoor Adventure. “Lots of our clients come from Special Ed classes. They’ve never been let free. They’ve always have supervision. This is when they really start to blossom — when they can see what they can do by themselves.”

Parents of previous participants are enthusiastic to see the program’s success and the changes in their child’s attitude after participating. Several parents commented to Common Ground employees that their child came home as a completely different person.