The program of Explorer posts matches the interests of young adults with the resources and adult expertise of their participating organization. Your Explorer post leaders might use the following ideas when planning a well-balanced program around Exploring's five areas of program emphasis: career opportunities, leadership experience, life skills, citizenship, and character education.
1. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Programs that develop potential contacts that may broaden employment options. Activities that boost a youth's self-confidence and help him or her experience success at school and work.
SUGGESTED TOPICS: Review the variety of careers in medicine, health care, dentistry, nursing and veterinary medicine-general practice, research and related fields. Discuss the education, skills, and training needed for these careers. Plan programs on careers in private practice, hospitals, medical centers, government, industries, and associations; psychology programs in clinics, laboratories, schools, business, police departments, government agencies, and private practice. Demonstrate the relationship between the information available on the psychology database and current social concerns.
2. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Programs that help youth develop leadership skills to fulfill their responsibilities in society. Activities that provide exposure to different leadership traits.
SUGGESTED TOPICS: Study the effect of health care, dental care, nursing, and veterinary medicine on the community, state, and nation. Review the licensing, educational requirements, and regulation of health care, dental, nursing, and veterinary medicine professionals. Study the history and development of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and veterinary medicine. Plan a program on the purposes and programs of the American Dental Association; American Nurses' Association and its constituents; American Veterinary Medical Association such as stock raising, game management, zoos, and related subjects. Also in psychology, study the history and development of various areas of psychology related to citizenship, e.g., social, developmental, personality. In the area selected, discuss some of the hallmark studies that have implications for society. Study the American Psychological Association Ethical Code and discuss its application in the psychology-related activities of the Explorer group. Investigate some of the ways in which psychological research has contributed to particular advancements in our society. Secure speakers and programs on leadership styles, organizational psychology, and management skills.
3. LIFE SKILLS: Programs that help youth develop physical and mental fitness. Activities that provide opportunities for youth to experience positive social interaction.
SUGGESTED TOPICS: Study safety, first aid, personal health care, dental care, and nutrition. Plan fitness, sports, and exercise programs. Learn aerobic exercise for use by office workers. Secure speakers on mental and emotional fitness. Plan programs and competitions in public speaking, language, writing, and communication. In psychology, study the mind/body connection and what psychological research shows about the links between emotions and wellness and the relationship between exercise and emotions. Examine the lifestyles and behaviors that can increase the risk of illness. Learn about the primary prevention of emotional problems by means of social and cultural change. Learn about issues in the home and family-sexual abuse, family violence, substance abuse-that can be addressed by prevention programming. Develop awareness of how personal prejudice and bias can detract from emotional and mental health and well-being. Plan programs to address stress management, weight control, biofeedback, deep relaxation, smoking cessation, and substance abuse.
4. CITIZENSHIP: Programs that encourage youth to develop the skill and desire to help others. Activities that provide opportunities for youth to gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others.
SUGGESTED TOPICS: Provide health care, service projects, and veterinary medicine programs for charities, churches, youth groups, and community organizations. Assist with state, local, and school projects relating to health care, dental care, nursing as a career, and veterinary medicine. Provide volunteer help to hospitals, nursing homes, institutions, community centers, and blood banks; volunteer for community or school dental clinics or programs. Assist with projects of the American Dental Association, American Nurses' Association and its members, and American Veterinary Medical Association. Also in psychology, assist with tutoring, language skills, school programs, and public service projects related to business and careers in psychology. Conduct science projects for a science fair.
5. CHARACTER EDUCATION: Programs that help youth develop skills necessary for making ethical choices. Activities which provide opportunities for fulfilling one's responsibility to society as a whole.
SUGGESTED TOPICS: Study the history and development of medicine and other health-related services. Review the Hippocratic Oath. In the area selected, discuss some of the benchmark studies that have had far-reaching effects on society.
Plan parents' night programs, open houses, and family activities. Provide health care, dental care, volunteer projects, and veterinary medicine projects to assist elderly, disabled, low-income, and disadvantaged people. Plan parent/Explorer activities.
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