The ARC 40-day curriculum rests on the concept that teaching to the whole person is transformative. Intentionally small cohorts result in the greatest possible individual growth, due to the specialized attention given to each student. ARC's key philosophy is the integration of rigorous academic instruction (writing, reading, research, and public speaking) with leadership and life-skills training (confidence, maturity, goal setting, and personal responsibility). Our summer curriculum consists of a series of outdoor expeditions interspersed with academic time spent at the UC Field Station.  Each program component has been designed to gradually build the students' confidence and self-sufficiency until, by the end of the six weeks, they are comfortable spending twenty-four hours on their own in the wilderness, teaching younger students basic science concepts, and reading their poetry and essays in public. 

Our summer programming begins with a 40-day summer immersion combining challenging outdoor adventure and intensive literacy training. In our programs, students participate in:

•    Three backpacking trips,
•    A kayaking expedition,
•    A whitewater rafting trip,
•    A ropes course event, and
•    Rock climbing.

All of these experiences foster an understanding, respect, and appreciation of the environment. Leadership activities are integrated into daily programming and build upon each other, preparing students for:

•    A final youth-led expedition,
•    A solo overnight wilderness experience,
•    Cross-age teaching experiences,
•    Public performances of self-reflective essays and poetry, and
•    Extensive school-year youth development programming

ARC's unique integration of academics and outdoor education includes a Language Arts curriculum aligned with California State Standards which focuses on reading, building vocabulary, improving grammar, writing projects, and public speaking. The Environmental Science curriculum is organized around place-based education standards, introducing students to the natural world around them and to environmental conservation concepts.  This component incorporates a cross-age teaching day where ARC students prepare and teach an interactive science lesson to a group of younger students from the Boys & Girls Club. Through dynamic programming, students learn about their role in stewardship and conservation, raise their overall academic success, develop positive social and cooperative skills, and prepare for civic engagement. A variety of activities that support healthy lifestyles are combined to create a vibrant platform to engage students in leadership roles and positive recreation:

•    Tutoring and academic support,
•    One-on-one goal setting and college preparation,
•    Exposure to and participation in challenging outdoor activities,
•    Mentoring from local residents and business owners,
•    Exploring critical community issues and producing compelling youth-driven media projects,
•    Learning to plan and organize community and youth outreach events,
•    Participation in community service projects, and
•    Service of the land projects

Targeted activities outreach to peers, families, and community members, expanding the program’s ability to impact our region. Our year-round programming links wilderness to academics, adventure to leadership, environmental science to literacy, and confidence to activism.

With all that we’ve achieved to date, we acknowledge that we are only mid-way in our vision to create a program for transformative learning and catalytic social change in ELL communities throughout California. We are ready to grow to the next step of our vision as a year-round youth development program.

To learn more about our program, please contact Jennifer Gurecki, Director, at jgurecki@berkeley.edu or at 530.416.5682.

ARC has proved capacity to provide structured and effective academic programming. As we investigate the ways in which we make a difference in students’ lives, we see both immediate and long-term success:

• 95% passing rate of the Language Arts section of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), as compared to:

• District-wide: 22% for ELL students, 54% for Re-designated students, and 45% for socio-economically disadvantaged students
• County-wide: 22% for ELL students, 74% for Re-designated students, and 57% for socio-economically disadvantaged students
• State-wide: 33% for ELL students, 83% for Re-designated students, and 51% for socio-economically disadvantaged students
• 80% college enrollment rate as compared to 36% nationwide for Latinos and 46% for Caucasians

• Increased participation in outdoor recreation and sports,
• Increased participation and leadership roles in student clubs,
• Hundreds of hours of community service performed each year, and
• A 3.7 point increase on the Developmental Assets Profile (administered quarterly to students), indicating new skills acquisitions, improved self-identity, and establishment of a strong support system through meaningful relationships.

The voices of our students, however, are the strongest statement as to the impact of the program:

• "I think of ARC as one of my best experiences in my life. I met different people, and I now I have a different perspective on what is a challenge. ARC has helped me a lot. I love ARC."

• "ARC has given me confidence in my future. I don't know what is ahead, but I know that with inner strength and help from my family and friends I can resolve any problems in my way."

• "ARC, there are no words to express it. I have had the chance to experience unimaginable situations, visit unique places and the most important, it helped me in becoming a better person."

• “Throughout my life, I have gone through many challenges, opportunities, and barriers.  I have come to realize that all of these experiences mold me as I grow up.  They either influence us or change us, temporarily, permanently, physically, and/or mentally. Through this summer of 2007 at ARC I’ve gone through many challenges, but the main lesson I have learned is to do everything with inspiration and encouragement. Compassion, style, determination and physical fitness are the values of the ARC program and are now the way I hope to live for the rest of my life.”

• “I love community service! Now I realize the change I have made in my community, culture and the change in me. I’m proud to see I taught someone material I knew because I have the talent to do it. I HAVE made a difference!”

We take a great deal of pride in our students’ accomplishments, and college acceptance is one of the highest indicator that ARC has provided them a life-changing opportunity. We currently have students enrolled at Sierra Nevada College, California State University Sacramento, Cal State Hayward, Sierra College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Yuba Community College, Hancock College, Petaluma Community College and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas; UC Berkeley has accepted the first ARC graduate for fall 2009.