BANGOR – See yourself and the world in a different way and don’t be afraid to affect positive change; that was the challenge conveyed to area high school students recently at two separate daylong Challenge Days.

On April 9, Hermon High School sponsored a Challenge Day for 103 sophomores and eight junior leaders at Wells Commons, University of Maine and April 10 The Acadia Hospital hosted its fourth annual Get Connected! Conference featuring Challenge Day at the Bangor YMCA Camp Jordan in Ellsworth. The Acadia conference was host to 70 sophomores and juniors from Ashland Community High School, George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, Hampden Academy and Mount Desert Island High School.

Both Challenge Days were led by two leaders from the California-based nonprofit organization called Challenge Day. The leaders were assisted at the conferences by more than 20 volunteer adult facilitators comprising educators, law enforcement officers and community agency employees.

The students participated in a series of games, discussion groups and exercises designed to create a safe environment for the students to “get real” about powerful issues such as harassment, bullying, loss and stereotypes. The ultimate objective for each day was to assist the students and adults in looking at how their everyday behaviors may affect others around them, especially those closest to them.

Exercises like the Power Shuffle offered participants a chance to see what separated some from others, and also demonstrated how much they have in common. The phrase “you’re not alone” was reinforced consistently throughout the day. At the end of the day, students took the microphone and shared what Challenge Day meant to them. Many voiced a desire to change and help others to become more thoughtful, caring people at their respective schools. Some took the opportunity to apologize to a classmate or teacher for past behavior, which led to those people being forgiven.

Students were visibly moved by the experience.

“I think Challenge Day meant a time of forgiving, receiving and mending. I also think that it was to show us how rude and mean we sometimes are and how we take friends and things for granted every day,” said one Hermon High School student. Another student who attended the Get Connected! Conference Challenge Day observed, “This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Thank you!”

Just as importantly, adults in attendance also were affected.

“I came to Challenge Day thinking I was there just for the kids, but by the end of the day I realized I had benefited as much as they did from the program,” said one volunteer facilitator. “I also felt very proud of the young people in the room. They were open to the challenge and I can see that many of them are ready to go back to their schools and make a difference.”

The Acadia Hospital Get Connected Conference featuring Challenge Day is part of the hospital’s Community Conversations Program designed to prevent youth violence and promote youth wellness. The conference was made possible in part by funding from Eastern Maine Charities and Community Health and Counseling Services.

Challenge Day is a nonprofit organization located in California. They travel around the country working with students, schools and communities.

For information visit www.acadiahospital.org, or www.challengeday.org.