Challenge Day Underway at ECMS

More than 400 teens and 100 adults are participating in Challenge Day at East Cobb Middle School this week, and the program is need of volunteers to help with related activities.

Facilitators are needed for Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, as well as door monitors throughout the week.

Challenge Day is an award-winning program that the Holt Road school has been offering to students to foster understanding and acceptance of others.

Presented by the ECMS Foundation since 2008, Challenge Day has 2,500 people — 2,000 students and 500 adult volunteers — who have been changed by the experience.

ECMS has an enrollment of 1,282 students, 48 percent of whom are African-American, 24 percent are white and another 22 percent Hispanic. An estimated 65 percent of students are from households that are economically disadvantaged. Another 10 percent of students are disabled and 10 percent also have limited English proficiency.

At a Challenge Day, teenage students, teachers, school counselors, parents, and members of the community are challenged to step out of their comfort zones, open their hearts, and build connections with others.

Two trained Challenge Day Leaders guide participants through a carefully-designed series of games, activities, and trust-building exercises that break down the walls of separation and create new levels of empathy and respect.

The Challenge Day program reduces teasing and bullying, teaches tools for peaceful conflict resolution, and inspires teens and adults to work together as forces for positive change in the world.

For more information on Challenge Day at ECMS, including volunteering, contact Gretchen Buchanan at gretchenbuchanan@mindspring.com.