CLIMB Theatre is partnering with the WAVE Youth Center of Big Lake, working with local youth in eight, one-hour long sessions throughout April and May. Using art as a tool for communication and exploration, students are sharing their stories around resiliency, mental health, and well-being.

“It’s always amazing to see how much the students grow during and after these sessions,” said Wave Center president and founder Molly Schroeder. “Some students get more confident speaking up for themselves and finding creative ways to express themselves, while others get better at handling tricky situations,” she said.

CLIMB’s interactive programming allows students to practice CLIMB’s A.R.E.A.S. (Accountability, Resiliency, Empathy, Advocacy, and Self-Regulation) in real-life scenarios. Sessions involve different games and activities to strengthen these skill A.R.E.A.S. 

Students also engage with texts and works of art to cultivate their thoughts around their experience with these topics. These texts and works of art explore issues that students face in which they need to use their A.R.E.A.S. to solve them. Using these art pieces as a foundation, students are creating their own works and a combination of these works will be turned into a final sharing for their community.

The Wave Center and CLIMB first partnered in 2020, and Schroeder said she always finds CLIMB’s programming beneficial. 

“They provide a platform for students to express themselves, advocate for themselves, and engage in difficult conversations. It is no surprise that students eagerly look forward to CLIMB’s visits!” Schroeder said.

This residency program is made possible through a donation from CentraCare Foundation.

The Wave Youth Center’s mission is to be a safe and welcoming place that meets the needs of the body, mind, and spirit of the youth in our community. They serve middle and high school–aged youths from across Sherburne and Wright County. Through partnerships with the community, The Wave works towards its vision in the community by offering support and mentoring for academic, vocational, social, and life skills. They believe that a community that is built on strong relationships is a healthy community to live in, and they are committed to building relationships with individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community.

CLIMB Theatre is a youth-centered organization that uses theatre to teach social-emotional learning in a way that is intentionally intersectional. Based out of Inver Grove Heights, MN, the touring company brings programming to schools, libraries, and more across the Midwest. Their mission is to inspire and propel people towards acts that benefit themselves, others, and their community. 

To bring CLIMB to your community, call (800) 767-9660 or email mail@climb.org. To learn more, visit www.climb.org.