Center Point Day Program
About the Program…
Like other Diakon Wilderness Center programs, the Center Point Day Program stives to change lives in a
challenging and supportive environment by engaging youths and their families to achieve accountability,
build family assets, develop skills and competencies, and learn to value and invest in a positive community
life.
Students in the day program build a foundation of knowledge and skills through successful completion of
a range of competency-development activities, focused on the following:
- Academic skills
- Social skills
- Moral reasoning
- Workforce development
- Independent living skills
- Community service
- Vocational skills
- Family reparation and health
A Curriculum Focused on Success
Center Point Day Program students experience a range of programs and services designed for individual
success. Skills and competencies are taught in the following areas:
Academic Skills
Educational programming at the Diakon Wilderness Center is provided through the Capital Areas Intermediate
Unit, or CAIU. Curriculum features include:
- Teachers have a variety of certifications; all are qualified in core subject areas and three teaching staff members can write and implement IEPs
- IEP reviews and evaluations conducted as necessary
- Assessment of educational achievement at intake and discharge
- G.E.D. preparation and obtainment if requested
- Small class sizes (one teacher and one aide per eight students)
- Credits earned fully transferable
- Study skills/tutoring sessions offered as needed
- Discussion and support for further educational opportunities and awareness of financial aid opportunities
- Truancy discussions when needed
Competency Development
Development of various competencies is built upon classroom instruction, counseling groups, adventure-based
activities, experiential learning, community service projects, and a curriculum-oriented approach. Skill
areas include:
- Pro-Social Skills
- Communication
- Emotional/anger management & conflict resolution
- Self-respect building
- Drug & alcohol awareness classes
- Developing positive peer relationships
- Grief and loss
- Respect for rules and authority
- Moral Reasoning Skills
- Victim-impact classes to include developing an apology letter written to victim (sent if applicable),
and the development of Victim Impact Statements
- Decision-making
- Accountability for reasons placed
- Discussion groups on the effects of violence on our communities
- Male domestic violence education
- "Tough Guise"—understanding the male persona in our culture, particularly as promoted by the media,
with a focus on developing healthier, pro-social male roles in our communities. Mentors and community role
models are used to assist with this process
- Independent Living Skills
- Health care
- Financial management
- Responsibilities of car ownership and driving
- Living independently
Vocational Skills
Vocational skills training is presented by program staff members to enhance a student’s job preparation skills
and future employability. Deserving graduates will be provided with a Certificate of Achievement and a letter of
recommendation from the program. Attainment of these skills will equip students to pursue either part- or full-time
job opportunities in their communities.
Vocational training is available in three different areas:
- Workforce Development Skills
- Vocational decision-making
- Military opportunities
- The role of education
- Making application and interviewing
- Horticulture—planting, growing, harvesting, and marketing products grown in an on-site 14,000-square-foot
greenhouse
- Culinary arts—basic industrial kitchen skills; sanitation, measuring, food service standards, food preparation,
food presentation and service, all provided by a contracted food-service provider on site.
- Basic carpentry—production and marketing of items such as patio chairs, picnic tables, and more
- Landscaping—Learning how to plant trees and provide lawn care and grounds maintenance
- Mechanics—Learning basic vehicle components and maintenance; tire balancing, rotation, and repair; and oil
changes
- Additional vocational-focused enhancements will be developed on a continual basis
The CAIU has assisted Diakon in writing vocational curricula integrating academics and assists in monitoring instruction for affective education credits.
Community Service
Community service hours are earned through working for non-profit organizations within the geographic area of
the Diakon Wilderness Center campus, such as Capital Area Greenbelt, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources,
and Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association. Work performed on the center campus to maintain the facility or meet
the needs of daily living is not counted as community service and is not reported to the county as such.
To learn more about the Center Day Point Program, view a typical day’s schedule.
Please note that those accepted into the program must complete a physical examination, because adventure-based activities
are physically challenging. For in-depth referral information, please click the helpful link below:
Center Point Day Program |
About the Center Point Day Program |
Center Point Day Program schedule |
Referrals