More than 300 students from six area high schools were challenged to “get real” and “be in charge” as they participated in Challenge Days from Nov. 2 to 5.

The first Challenge Day was held Nov. 2 at Schenck High School in East Millinocket, where sophomores from Schenck and nearby Stearns High School collaborated.

Hermon High School sponsored its Challenge Day Nov. 3, and Bucksport High School held its Challenge Day Nov. 4.

The week concluded Nov. 5 when The Acadia Hospital sponsored its sixth annual Get Connected Day at Camp Jordan in Ellsworth. Acadia invited high school students from Orono and Searsport high schools to participate.

The Challenge Days were led by two leaders from the Challenge Day organization, which is a nonprofit group based in California. The leaders were assisted at the conferences by volunteer adult and student facilitators.

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

Exercises like Power Shuffle offered participants a chance to see what separated them from others, and 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 went to the microphone and shared what Challenge Day meant to them. Many voiced a desire to change, help others, and 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. Many said that the day changed how they viewed themselves and others. Adults who participated in Challenge Day also were affected. One school employee said, “Since the students have returned to school, I’ve seen a difference in their behavior toward one another.”

An adult facilitator said, “The kids loved it. I have been getting lots of positive feedback and my principal said he was impressed by all the positive things he was hearing about the day.”

The Acadia Hospital sponsored Challenge Day by subsidizing the travel and lodging costs of the Challenge Day leaders. Acadia has been the driving force behind increased school participation in Challenge Day and provides support under the auspices of the hospital’s Community Conversations Program designed to prevent youth violence and to promote youth wellness.

To learn more about Challenge Day, visit www.acadiahospital.org, or www.challengeday.org.