Mentor Program
Following the Introductory program, is the five-year Mentoring program, which blends on-mountain skill enhancement with community service and skill development. As young participants progress from gentle slopes to challenging black diamonds, they transition from being participants to emerging leaders, taking risks and gaining self-confidence.
Participants are matched with an adult mentor in groups of 3-5, engaging in five days of snowboarding/skiing along with community service projects and skills development workshops. Both on and off mountain activities help young people gain a deeper understanding of SOS’ core values.
Our curriculum targets the development of eight life skills (communication, responsibility, cooperation, coping with adversity, engagement, empathy, assertion, and self-control) and provides youth opportunities to apply them in practical settings.
You are a part of a community that will always be there for you. You’re growing up with your peers, but you also have that adult you can look up to. I felt like my mentor really cared about us. It was huge to grow up with an adult, who wasn’t a relative, who was always there in your life.
Mentor Program Progression
/01
Mentor Year 1
Students form relationships with mentors and peers by learning cooperation, recognizing emotions, and participating in community service.
/02
Mentor Year 2
Students strengthen relationships with mentors and peers by reinforcing cooperation, identifying feelings, and engaging in community service.
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Mentor Year 3
Students apply cooperation skills from Mentor 1 and 2 to discuss and express feelings, focusing on managing adversity.
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Mentor Year 4
Students utilize cooperation skills from Mentor 1, 2, and 3 to further address coping with adversity and emphasize engagement during industry day, where they begin to learn about career opportunities.
/05
Mentor Year 5
Students employ cooperation and engagement skills acquired in Mentor 3 and 4 to cultivate empathy and investigate a community issue while interacting with community members and resources.
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Junior Mentor
Students move on to Jr Mentor, where they exercise empathy towards community issues developed in Mentor 5 to boost assertiveness through involvement with community leaders and practicing leadership skills.
Registration
REGISTER
To complete registrations you will need a specific session number for the program. If you do not know your session number, please speak with your local SOS Program Manager or the youth agency that you are participating with.
Want to Learn More?
Reach out to your local program manager, youth agency, or feel free to email sos@sosoutreach.org
FAQ
Upon completing Learn to Ride, participants progress to the Mentoring program, where they join a small group led by a positive adult mentor. Besides five on-snow ride days per season, mentors and participants engage in workshops and community service events.
The program aims to: 1) Foster positive relationships and a sense of belonging; 2) Improve self-regulation through social-emotional learning skills; 3) Build strong character by applying core values and participating in community service.
The program is offered in Eagle County, Summit County, Denver, Steamboat, Park City, North Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, Chicago/Kenosha, and Detroit.
Participants are encouraged to stay in the Mentor program until they finish high school.
