Camp Programs

1. Reinforce the belief that risky behaviors are not normal or acceptable by the adolescent’s peer group
2. Cultivate the belief that risky behaviors do not fit with the youth’s personal ideals and future aspirations
3. Create voluntary personal and public commitments to not participate in risky behaviors
4. Strengthen relationships between the adolescent and positive social institutions
5. Help parents listen to their children, communicate clear expectations about alcohol and drugs, and support their children as they work towards positive life goals

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.

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.

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.

The All Stars parent component encourages youth and parent interaction through parent/child homework assignments.

The curriculum is delivered by trained All Stars facilitators.

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.

• It is based on the most recent research
• It focuses only on the strategies that have the most impact
• Evaluation shows it works
• It prevents other problem behaviors, including violence and premature sexual activity
• It builds schools with the professional capacity to deliver the program
• It includes important components–parent involvement and booster sessions

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.

All Stars Camp was developed in response to local youth and parent survey results, which show that the middle school transition years are critical in determining at-risk behavior in later adolescence. The program is 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 Saratoga Partnership for Prevention is a coalition of community leaders, organizations, and individuals interested in decreasing youthful substance use, supporting families through the teen years, developing better relationships between youth and adults, and building family and community norms against drug use in the communities that make up the Saratoga Springs City School District.

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:

• Eight Star Martial Arts
• Wilton Wildlife Preserve
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Wilton EMS
• Saratoga Springs Police Department
• Saratoga Springs City School District