Testimonials About River's Way
"As you know, we have many students and motivation of all was, to say the least, difficult. Because of the camp and the extra activities involved with River’s Way, we’ve see a great improvement in the students meeting their individual goals. Students who were producing next to no work have been successfully and consistently turning work in punctually."
~ Jenny Mitchell - Special Ed. Teacher, E.B. Stanley Middle School
"This year, we have used the adventures as a reward to our eighth grade students who have been involved in voluntary tutoring classes. Students went caving and canoeing. The adventures provide our students with experiences that they may not be able to do otherwise. There is no cost to them. The students have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures. Knowing they will be rewarded with an adventure acts to motivate the students to do well. Post test scores indicate that they benefited from the tutoring class." ~ Belinda Mullins - Principal, Wallace Middle School
"I am pleased that your organization has been able to work with the schools to help promote student achievement. We are fortunate that we can use River’s Way trips as an incentive to help students remain in our program and thus improve their grades and test scores." ~ Leann Vernon - Project Coordinator, 21st Ce. Comm. Learning Center
"As a teacher of behaviorally challenged middle school children, I am excited at the prospect of any opportunity that will afford these children a way to develop good social skills as well as learn positive and creative ways to work with others to solve problems. Our experience at River's Way Outdoor Adventure Center provided my students with just that through both hands-on activities and superior demonstrations and role modeling by the center's experienced staff. The children had a good time working through tough assignments that allowed them to trouble-shoot and collectively come up with a plan to solve each task. It was wonderful to see children who have difficulty getting along in the classroom come together for the good of the group. It was also encouraging to hear their words of support for each other during the activity. When things were not going smoothly, I was much impressed with the way Tom and the other staff members handled each problem - encouraging students to make better choices. I believe that River's Way is an asset to our community and our schools." ~ Carla Perkins - Special Ed. Teacher, Blountville Middle School
"The results of this project have been impressive. Student GPA’s have increased from five-tenths of a point to one and six-tenths of a point. The percentage of increase ranged from 35% to 182% with two students showing no improvement in grades. Discipline referrals were reduced by an average of forty-six percent ranging from zero percent decrease to an eighty-two percent decrease. Teachers reported that even the students who did not show an improvement in grades (which can be explained by varying factors) displayed a dramatic improvement in attitude and motivation. All teachers felt this project was very worthwhile and would like to see it continue again next year. As school counselor, I have seen a great difference in the students’ self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation. These students have been extremely excited about making positive changes in their lives. They have all told me that this project has helped them to make improvements with their grades and their behavior. They also say this has made them really want to come to school and to do well. I have also witnessed a dramatic increase in the students’ ability to relate to each other, to get along and to help each other reach success…. It is my hopes that this project be continued and expanded during the next academic year, in order that we can reach out and assist an even greater number of students in the future."
~ Karen E. Riner, Ed. S. - Counselor, Virginia Middle School
"We all still talk about the caving outing. That adventure made the students have confidence in themselves for that day, and in other challenges they have faced. The tower climbing and ropes course outing last week was also fabulous. I was shocked and amazed when all of my students not only attempted the tower climbing, but also completed it. Thank you, again for all you and your program have done for my class. I have seen a lot of growth from each student that participated. The students have more confidence in themselves, they get along better with students they would normally have problems with, and their problem solving skills are much better."
~ Garrette Robinson - Blountville Middle School
"My class has been involved with the Venturing Program and River's Way for the past 4 years. The students participate in the weekend camps as well as the week long camps in the summer. The students always look forward to participating in each one of these events, and work hard to earn the right to participate with Tom. We recently began a level system in my class, which is based on behavior and the progress of each student working on previously determined goals. During the week, Tom comes to Virginia High School, or another previously determined location, to work on team building excercises with the class. They enjoy this as well, and afterwards Tom and I go over the progress they are making as it pertains to their goals. They like the fact that they have input on the activities, and the decisions made by the team. The time they spend at River's Way gives each one of the students in my class incentive to try their best, and continue working on their goals. It also gives them the opportunity to socialize with other students whom they may not have ever gotten the chance to meet."
~ Darla Williams - Virginia High School
"I have seen timid, insecure 7th graders tackle obstacles that they (and I) thought frightening in the extreme, overcome those obstacles and proudly say, “I did it.” I have seen students finish a book for the first time in their lives so that they could participate in a River’s Way trip. I have had other students as, “If we read and listen, can we go on adventures to?” Your programs have been a blessing to our underprivileged, under appreciated students, and the benefits they have gained have carried over into the classroom with their newfound confidence and belief in their abilities. I value your program and appreciate its outcome." ~ John Greer - Alternate School, Bristol TN