NOBLEBORO – The junior class at Hebron Academy recently attended the three-day Leadership Decisions Institute experiential learning program at Camp Kieve. The 64-member class was accompanied to the training, which is carried out as part of the academy’s Residential Life Program, by Hebron Dean of Students Andrew Stephenson and class advisers Jenny Agnew and Paul Thibeault.

This is the third year the school has participated in the program, which is designed to help prepare the students for their senior year. Instructors lead activities and small group discussions on such topics such as communication, leadership, relationships and problem-solving.

“I would say that, more than anything, it brings the students closer as a group,” said Heather Ferrenbach, math teacher and Community Life co-director, who traveled to Kieve with last year’s class. “They begin to really value their classmates. Many of them also realize that they are capable of more than they think.”

The institute assists students in making healthy decisions about difficult issues such as substance abuse and peer relationships. It also works to build student self-esteem and communication skills.

Using the experiential education model in which students are active participants, the program seeks to provide students with factually accurate information and the confidence to make healthy decisions and develop leadership skills that they will take into their futures.

The institute is part of Kieve Affective Education Inc. a nonprofit organization located in Nobleboro. For more information, call 563-5172, e-mail ldi@kieve.org or visit www.kieve.org. For more information about Hebron Academy, an area independent, co-educational boarding and day school for grades six through postgraduate, interested families should visit www.hebronacademy.org or call 966-2100.

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