Luke and his dad Howard Dammarell haven’t missed a Day CORE since the class inception, February of 2022.
“I love archery the most,” enthuses Luke. “I keep coming because I learn new things each time. Our instructors encourage us. They make me excited to try new things. And I’m proud once I do them!”
“Luke has a unique set of needs & abilities that makes regular school a challenge,” states Jen (Luke’s mom). “I love that we don’t have to have a conversation — these instructors will include everyone, no matter the ability. They will find a way.”
“Traditionally, CORE is set up as a way to spend time with your teenager. As a homeschool parent, I already spend a lot of time with Luke,” states his dad Howard. “What I love about this program is watching my son with the instructors. His skills have improved tremendously and his comfort level to try new things is sky-high. It’s awesome. I’d also say that we talk a lot. But the PACD model has helped us dig into more meaningful conversations.”
Luke and his fellow homeschool CORE participants have taught the CYO staff, too. 
“One of the best things about Day CORE is our instructor to student ratio. This allows us more flexibility to adapt to the needs of each participant in ways that aren’t possible with a large group. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to interact more with each person on Wednesday afternoons.” states Ken Brink, Day CORE’s lead instructor.
With that in mind, CYO is partnering with Outdoor Buddies to open our 2023 Fall Day CORE class to those with any disability, mental or physical.
Outdoor Buddies is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization which pairs able-bodied volunteers with disabled individuals to enjoy Colorado’s natural resources. The group specializes in helping veterans & their families. But, from CYO’s perspective, Outdoor Buddies’ sweet spot is resourcefully finding a way to meet the needs of disabled individuals in the Colorado wilderness. In Outdoor Buddies’ world, blind people hunt pheasants, paraplegic people stalk pronghorns, and we all go fishing together afterwards.
The CYO Day CORE class meets on Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30pm.
Our Fall CORE program is 12 weeks long, 2 hours a week. Kids 12-18 years of age and their adult will experience three sessions each archery, survival skills, shotgun & fishing.
While these teen/adult partners are learning and honing outdoor skills, we build in discussions and activities around relationships using our PACD model: Participate. Appreciate. Communicate. Dedicate.
Fall CORE orientation is Tuesday August 8th, 5:30pm. Class begins on August 16, and runs through November 1. Our CORE semester concludes with a Game Feast on Thursday, November 9 at 5:30pm.
For more information and to register for the day CORE class, please call or email:
Courtney Strouse, CYO Programming Director
(970) 663-0800
cstrouse@coloradoyo.org