OLD TOWN – Learning how to build self-esteem, divert peer pressure and eliminate violence are the goals of the Challenge Day program that students in Old Town, on Indian Island and in Union 90 schools will participate in, starting next week.

“Our goal is to deal with self-esteem and those kinds of issues,” Shawn Yardley, director of the River Coalition, said Wednesday. “This program is absolutely the perfect vehicle to get those things across to the whole student population.

“It really is about setting a tone, but it is also about adults with kids, it’s all about this message of shared experiences and each other,” he said. “It recognizes that everyone has needs, has pain and has a need for affiliation and to make connections.”

Challenge Day addresses issues of violence, teasing, social oppression, racism, harassment, conflict management, suicide, peer pressure, alcohol and drugs.

Challenge Days are scheduled for Sept. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 from 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at the Old Town-Orono YMCA youth gym.

“When we’re done on Sept. 9 every eighth-grader through 12th-grader in Old Town, Union 90 and Indian Island will have been through this program,” said Yardley.

Juniors and seniors, the alumni of past Challenge Days, will be volunteering as mentors. More than 500 students will participate.

The first Challenge Day was held in April 2002 and the second in November 2002. Then a suggestion was made to hold Challenge Days the first week of school so that students could start out the school year on the right footing, said Yardley.

The River Coalition is sponsoring the program in the schools; however, this year’s program is funded by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation’s Penobscot Valley Health Association.

This year the new Old Town High School principal, Joe Gallant, and new superintendent, Matthew Oliver, will be participating.

“Adults are encouraged to volunteer as positive role models for the benefit of the youth,” said Yardley. “The program welcomes parents-guardians, teachers, administrators, police officers, elected officials, community members and any other interested adults in addition to their assigned community roles.”

Recruiting for adult volunteers continues, Yardley said. He said another 45 to 50 adults are needed to keep the ratio one adult to five students.

A volunteer orientation is set for 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the YMCA.

Anyone with questions can call the River Coalition office at 827-8744.