The Blue Wagon August 2010

Rafting down the South Fork of the American River in California

Inside this issue

Note from the President 2

Monthly Poll 2

A Big Thanks to stickK! 3

DREAM Receives $15K Grant 4

Camp Wish List 4

Is DREAM Making an Impact (yes) 5

HD/NW High Adventure Report 6-7

Alumni Grants Make it Work! 8

Corny Joke of the Month 9

NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT By AJ LeGaye, Alumni Council President

What was it that got me into DREAM? I realize that most of you have never met me and don’t know about

my experience with DREAM before I joined the Alumni Council. I remember showing up on campus in

the Fall of 2003 for my orientation trip, and a ton of the trip leaders were wearing absurdly bright t-shirts

with DREAM printed in bold letters across the front. I kept asking people, “What is DREAM?” and I kept

hearing, “I’m not involved, but it’s a student-run mentoring program. You should talk to so-and-so.” Two

thoughts crossed my mind at that point: 1) it was pretty sweet that people who weren’t even involved with

the organization were pumped enough about the program to sport DREAM all around campus and 2) how

do I sign up?

Two months later, I found myself in one of the freshman dorm common rooms listening to Dave Anderson

and company talk about how awesome DREAM is and why we should apply to become mentors. It wasn’t

his bad jokes or ridiculous laughter that caught my attention. It was because he shared stories about how

we, as mentors, would have the opportunity to be there for someone who could use a trusted friend; how

we, as friends, would have the chance to im-

merse ourselves in a community of kids and

families; and how we, as students, would have

the power to improve lives. Finally, it was about

how DREAM, as an organization, was started

by students, run by students, and fueled by the

passion of its mentors and mentees. To this day,

I strongly believe all of that to be true.

Signed Up for Life,

AJ LeGaye

President, 2010-2012

DREAM Alumni Council

a.legaye@gmail.com

POLL OF THE MONTH

Now that the newsletter has been named, The

Blue Wagon will now feature a monthly poll to

gather alumni opinion on various topics. The first

poll question:

What would you like to see in future Blue Wagon

installments? Vote here!

P.S. A big thank you to everyone who voted for a

newsletter name. –Dylan

Where do I sign up?

A BIG THANKS TO stickK! Victoria Fener’s (D’08) employer donates $2,500 to DREAM!

By Josh Warren, DREAM Boston Office

As a DREAM alumnus and office staff member, it is always great to hear from members of DREAM’s

Alumni Organization. Whether it is during coincidental meetings at a restaurant or in an airport, via email

or on the phone, very little excites me more than swapping stories and catching up with fellow DREAM-

ers. This past month I received a phone call from Victoria Fener, Dartmouth ’08, and was thrown a total

curveball. Victoria was not just calling to catch up and see how things were going in Vermont and Boston,

she was calling to let us know that she had secured a $2,500 donation for DREAM from her employer!

In the fall of 2009, Victoria began working for a

New York based company called stickK. The

company was founded by two Yale professors

after years of research in behavioral economics,

which showed that by adding financial incentives,

an individual is up to three times more likely to

succeed in achieving a goal. Key to stickK’s

model is their Commitment Contract—a binding

promise by an individual to achieve a personal

goal and be held accountable. Commitment

Contracts allow users to put their own money on

the line to motivate them to succeed in their goal.

If they fail to reach their goal, they forfeit their

money to a designated recipient. Most users se-

lect, “charity,” as their recipient, allowing stickK

to convert individual shortcomings into positive

gains elsewhere.

When the opportunity arose to distribute a $2,500 gift to a worthy organization, DREAM was high on Vic-

toria’s list. Her thoughtfulness and stickK’s generosity not only put a sizeable dent in DREAM’s Boston

Summer Appeal goal, it also sponsored a year of DREAM for one child in Boston!

Over the past few years, DREAM has had a number of alumni take advantage of matching gift programs

from their employers, and some, like Victoria, have invited their employers to support DREAM at a higher

level. If you would like more information about matching gift programs at

your work, please contact your HR department. If you think your company

may be interested in supporting DREAM at a higher level and would like

to talk about it, email me at josh@dreamprogram.org.

Thanks, Victoria!

The DREAM Program won a $15,000 grant award from the Staples Foundation for Learning to support

Camp DREAM and our expanded summer sessions this year. The funding will help cover the costs of

supporting almost 30 children at Camp DREAM, including the costs of transportation, food, activities and

insurance.

The Staples Foundation for Learning supports several youth service programs across the country. Accord-

ing to the Foundation, “The greatest gift we can give all children is hope for the future. The Foundation

aims to create and sustain in our youth the desire to realize their full potential. By setting an example of

achievement, and supplying the means for inspiration and encouragement, we endeavor to provide them

with a solid basis for learning and growth.” As you all know, the DREAM Program certainly inspires chil-

dren to hope for their future and realize their full potential, and therefore we are a perfect partner for the

Foundation in Vermont.

I would to thank all of you for your work in DREAM and for the limitless energy and encouragement you

give to the kids in DREAM. We are able to attract resources such as this gift from the Staples Foundation

because of the inspirational work the mentors in DREAM do.

DREAM RECEIVES $15K GRANT FOR CAMP The Staples Foundation for Learning award will support camp operations

By Mike Loner, DREAM Executive Director

CAMP WISH LIST Camp is a cornerstone of the DREAM experience and we’re always looking to improve it. If you are inter-

ested in donating or volunteering, e-mail Mike at mloner@dreamprogram.org to learn how. Here is the

current wish list:

1. DREAM recently received a gift of $3,000 from the Addison Family to get us closer to completing the

Camp Barn. We are still looking for additional support including financial support, volunteer labor, and in

-kind donations such as cabinets, sinks, picnic table, etc.

2. Trail Bob! Each spring we like to host a crew of former mentors, staffers, and other DREAMers at

Camp to help with a property clean-up and safety inspection. Please let us know if you would like to join

DREAM’s Trail Bob!

They found Camp!

We all know how DREAM has impacted us individually, as mentors, office staff, or friends of DREAM…

but what about the children and families? What are they getting out of the program, and what type of im-

pact has involvement in DREAM had on them? After administering hundreds of surveys to children and

families participating in all 11 Vermont programs in 2009, here’s a quick snapshot of what we found out:

Asked whether “DREAM introduced their child to new experiences,” 92% of parents surveyed agreed that

it did. 77% of youth felt that when they want to try new things, people in DREAM help them. The same

percentage (77%) of children 8 and older felt like they could make

good choices for themselves and their life. 86% of children felt

they went on trips with DREAM where they see and do new things.

We can all come together, no matter what culture we’re in;

we’re all special (14 year-old girl, FrElm).

Asked whether DREAM had introduced their child to “people he

or she could count on in the future,” 84% of parents agreed that it

had. 74% of children 12 and older felt that if they wanted to do

something that cost money they would “have ideas of ways to raise

the money to do it.” 65% of children 12 and older felt if there was

a problem in their life they could “figure out a way to solve it.”

I don’t just have to rely on myself, I can rely on my mentor to talk about my feelings (12 year-old

girl, FrElm).

Asked to respond to the statement, “I think my child will go to college,” 71% of parents surveyed agreed.

96% of parents agreed that their child “does things that are important to him/her.” 84% agreed that their

child “is hopeful about his/her future.”

One thing I learned about myself from being a part of DREAM is that I can do

whatever I want if I try (16 year-old girl, Windsor).

80% of parents agreed that “mentors are an important part of their family’s

life.” Additionally, 78% of parents surveyed agreed that “DREAM brings

good changes to their neighborhood.”

96% of youth feel that their mentor cares about them, that they look forward

to the time they spend with their mentor, and that their relationship with their

mentor is important to them. When good things happen in their lives, 98% of

children feel that their mentor is happy for them.

Interested in learning more? More detailed information on what youth and

parents had to say, as well as outcomes by specific community, can be found

here: http://www.dreamprogram.org/about/evaluations.htm

Questions? Contact Liz in the DREAM Central Office at: liz@dreamprogram.org.

IS DREAM MAKING AN IMPACT? By Elizabeth Haag, DREAM Central Office

HIGH ADVENTURE REPORT 11 mentors, 23 mentees, 9 months of planning & 11 days in California By Elizabeth Palmer, Dartmouth ‘11

Day One of the official High Adventure 2010 itinerary describes June 19th as a travel day.

DREAM communities -> Logan Airport -> San Francisco. When we woke up early that morning, none of

the twenty three DREAMers or eleven Dartmouth College mentors who worked to compile that itinerary

over the previous nine months could quite anticipate how far those arrows would take us from the commu-

nities of Windsor, Northwoods, Hollow Drive, and Hanover.

After gathering on campus, we made our way to Boston with the help of many office staff— getting a

sneak peak at how tightly we would be packed into each car ride across Northern California, and how

many times we would have to stop to use the bathroom! A six-hour flight and an airport trolley, BART,

and bus ride later, we were within walking distance of the youth hostel that would be our home base for

the next two days. We were greeted by three mentors from the west who had arrived to do our shopping

and cook us Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets. We knew we weren’t in Kansas anymore, and we

were excited to see what would happen next (after we got some much needed sleep.)

Each day our itinerary continued to be helpful in guiding us to pre-booked lodging and activities, proving

to us that our hard work all year long had certainly been worthwhile. We also learned that a group of thirty

-four people with yellow DREAM shirts and a spirit of adventure was more powerful than even the best

laid plan could predict. In eleven days we visited Alcatraz, Union Square, the California Academy of Sci-

ence, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods National Monument, China Camp State Park,

Gold Country, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Stanford, and Santa Cruz. Along the way we made

our presence known, whether taking over an entire bus in San Francisco or picking up bags full of trash as

volunteers in Yosemite Valley. Report continues on the next page...

DREAMers oddly happy to be headed to jail on Alcatraz

The fact that three of the best days of the trip began as grand challenges is a testament to our group’s

strength. The first took place in Gold Country on the day of our white water rafting excursion. Many men-

tees overcame longstanding fears with the help of overwhelming support from the rest of the group. I was

not able to go along, and I am told that rafting deserves an entire story all to itself, so I will not try to ex-

plain more here. The day that stands out most in my mind actually began at 3:30am the night following the

rafting trip when it started to pour as we slept unsuspecting under the stars. By the time we moved our-

selves and our belongings into dry vans and semi-dry tents, nearly everything we had brought with us was

drenched. Packing up camp that morning was less fun than usual, but I maintained my optimism that when

we arrived at Lake Tahoe the sun would be shining and in a few hours our wet gear would be as good as

new…of course, two hours later we learned they were receiving some unusually wet weather as well.

Arriving at our dreary campsite, our fearless chefs boiled water for lunch in the cold drizzle. A hot Cup-o-

Noodles and the news that we could stay at a nearby motel to regroup gave us all the new life we needed to

make the day a success—in fact my favorite of the entire trip. By the end of the day we had explored the

towns of both North and South Lake Tahoe, taken pictures at a scenic overlook, gone night swimming,

played mini golf, eaten free samples at an old-fashioned candy store, sang along to the selections of DJ

Dan, and crammed into a motel room for our last Roses and Thorns with two mentors who would have to

leave us the next day.

The third day that I remember most was actually our last. By that point in our adventure it was no longer a

surprise to see our team triumph over weather-related disappointments. When the sun came out in the

afternoon we headed to the beach to play a giant game of Windsor versus Northwoods/Hollow Drive

volleyball. While of course I am proud to report that Windsor was unquestionably victorious, I am well

aware that during our eleven days together we had overcome nearly all divisions. Had we not, there is no

way that we could have covered nearly 1000 miles of Northern California, and each night fought to be the

first to share our highs during Roses and Thorns.

I am incredibly impressed with what each member of the High Adventure group was able to accomplish,

both while planning and experiencing the amazing trip we shared. I would also like to thank everyone who

helped to make it a reality. High Adventure cannot happen without the donations, advice, and unwavering

support of countless people. To all those who have contributed in some way—thank you from the bottom

of our hearts. We will carry the memories of those eleven days with us for the rest of our lives.

Elizabeth Palmer is a Dartmouth senior and now has two High Adventure trips under her belt! For more

pictures from the trip, click here!

HIGH ADVENTURE REPORT (CONT.)

ALUMNI GRANTS MAKE IT WORK! The Annual Appeal is right around the corner - here’s what your $ did in 2010!

By Rachel Kauppila, DREAM Bennington Office

During the 2009-2010 school year the Alumni Grant Committee gave out a total of $1,139.60 to four local

programs!!! Willowbrook, Pine Meadow, and Forest Park received funding

for three terrific culminating adventures and FrElm received a grant to help

cover transportation costs at the end of the spring semester.

This year the Alumni Grant process included a survey component

based on the alumni-created Elements of Program Awesomeness. Mentors

took the survey and ranked both the importance of these elements and the

strength of their program in each of these areas. The grants had to address the

areas of improvement identified by the survey.

The Elements of Program Awesomeness:

-Strong mentor-mentee relationships and mentee-centric programming

-Broad mentor participation in and planning for activities, fundraisers,

events, and trips

-Creative and ambitious activities, fundraisers, events, and trips

-Fundamental weekly program logistics like transportation,

communication, meetings,

space, supplies, etc.

-Mentor connection to parents, families, & neighborhood

-Mentor connection to alumni

-Overall program energy and personality

-New mentor recruitment, training and support

-Support for teens’ post-

DREAM ambitions

For the upcoming year, we’re

going to tweak the process once again, in hopes of awarding even more grants to

programs that have taken the time to reflect on what their program needs to be-

come even stronger! If you’re interested in getting involved with the Alumni

Grant process, contact Lindsay Deane at lindsay.deane@gmail.com.

2009-2010 Committee Members:

Lindsay Deane, Cochair (D ‘08 - HD/NW), Megan Spaulding (Champlain ‘06 -

Birchwood), Christopher Higgins (St. Mike’s ‘06 - Franklin ), Julia Risk (UVM

‘08 - FrElm), Drew Sheriff (D’01 - Templeton), Rachel Kauppila, Cochair

(Bennington Office), Rosetta Morse & Katie Albiston (Central Office).

FrElm received funds to

cover transportation

Willowbrook went to the Montshire

Museum and did an egg drop!

Pine Meadow staged a

scavenger hunt on

Church Street!

Forest Park headed up the mountain to Killington

(different day) for a day of snowboarding lessons!

“On a recent trip to India, Associate Ex-

ecutive Director Liz Haag learned more

about Ghandi. He walked around

barefoot for most of his life and had

incredibly developed calluses. He ate very

little so he was very weak and his diet

caused him to have terrible breath. He

therefore could be called a super calloused fragile

mystic hexed by halitosis.”

Paul Espina,

Program Empowerment

Director

If you think you have what it takes

to tell the corny joke of the month,

send your submission to

Dylan.j.nelson.09@gmail.com and

maybe see yours in the September

newsletter!

CORNY JOKE OF THE MOCORNY JOKE OF THE MONTHNTH