BAM! Boys Advocacy and Mentoring

BAM! Introduction

BAM! Orientation

• The Challenges Boys Face
  
• The Necessity of Good Contact
  
• The Social Influences: The Impact of Dysfunctional Aspects of Traditional
  
• Masculinity on Boys’ Relationships
  
• The Biological Influences: A Different Kind of Contact for Boys
  
• Seeing Boys’ Strengths and Addressing Their Challenges
  
• Five Goals for BAM! Leaders: Making Better Contact with Boys
  
• Five Goals for BAM! Participants: Helping Boys Make Better Contact
  
• A New Experience for Boys: Walking the Talk in BAM! Groups
  
• Making Contact Through Strategic Storytelling
  
• Making Contact Through Physical Challenges

BAM! Example

• Week 1: Lost in the Woods
  This first week the boys get to know each other, learn about the group goals and rules, and face their first challenges together, The Electric Fence.
  
• Week 2: Alligator Swamp
  This week, boys learn about each other through telling their Sixty-Second Autobiographies, through discussing the importance of controlling impulses, and by facing the perilous Alligator Swamp together.
  
• Week 3: Haunted House
  This week, the boys learn that it is okay to admit to feeling afraid after facing The Haunted House.
  
• Week 4: Sitting Circle
  This week, boys reveal more of themselves by way of the family stories and complete a fun, cooperative activity called The Sitting Circle.
  
• Week 5: Willow in the Wind
  This week, the boys begin to explore the power that teasing has on their behavior, and they take greater physical and emotional risks by way of the Willow in the Wind Challenge.
  
• Week 6: Making Lists
  This week, the boys learn about social influences on male behavior and identity and the consequences that result when boys fail to behave in expected ways.
  
• Week 7: Treasure Hunt
  This week, the boys embark on a Treasure Hunt where they face physical challenges, appreciate each other for their individual strengths, and identify personal characteristics or preferences that go beyond the typical social expectations for men.
  
• Week 8: Trust Falling
  This week, the boys face the emotionally and physically risky Trust Fall Challenge, realizing a deeper level of trust in other group members.
  
• Week 9: Talking Cards
  This week, the boys review their experiences in the group, identifying areas of personal growth and considering how lessons learned will apply in the future.
  
• Week 10: Found in the Woods
  During this final adventure, boys celebrate their time in the group and say goodbye to each other. Important male figures in the lives of the boys learn about the BAM! goals and share wishes for the boys in the future.

BAM! Instructions

• Initiating a BAM! Group
  
• Collecting Data and Proposing a BAM! Group
  
• Responding to Parental Concerns
  
• Getting Appropriate Referrals
  
• Recruiting Boys
  
• Facilitating a BAM! Group
  
• Qualities of BAM! Group Leaders
  
• The Art of BAM! Group Facilitation
  
• Keeping Balanced as a BAM! Leader
  
• Learning From Our Mistakes
  
• Dealing With Difficult Behavior
  
• Women as Group Leaders
  
• Men as Group Leaders
  
• Session-by-Session Instructions

• Week 1: Lost in the Woods
  
  • The Name Game Activity
    
  • Describe BAM! Groups
    
  • Create Group Rules
    
  • Facilitator Story #1: “Run, Howie, Run!”
    
  • Facilitator Story #2: “Leave Him Alone!”
    
  • Facilitator Story #3: “Foul Ball!”
    
  • Electric Fence Activity
    
  • Evaluations
    
  • Closing

• Week 2: Alligator Swamp
  
  • Sixty-Second Autobiography
    
  • Facilitator Story: “Sheep Head!”
    
  • Alligator Swamp Activity

• Week 3: Haunted House
  
  • 60-Second Autobiography
    
  • Haunted House Activity

• Week 4: Sitting Circle
  
  • Opening
    
  • Facilitator Story: “Family Story”
    
  • Family Stories
    
  • The Sitting Circle Activity

• Week 5: Willow in the Wind
  
  • Opening
    
  • Facilitator Story: “The Pink Shirt”
    
  • Teasing Discussion
    
  • Willow in the Wind Activity

• Week 6: Making Lists
  
  • Opening
    
  • Facilitator Story: “What’s She Doing Here?!”
    
  • Boy in the Box Activity

• Week 7: Treasure Hunt
  
  • Facilitator Story: “No Wimpin’ Out!”
    
  • Outside the Box Activity
    
  • Treasure Hunt Activity

• Week 8: Trust Falling
  
  • Trust Fall Activity

• Week 9: Talking Cards
  
  • Reviewing the Group
    
  • Talking Cards Activity
    
  • Planning for the Final Adventure
    
  • Completing the Group Evaluation

• Week 10: Found in the Woods
  
  • Coming Together
    
  • Preparing the Men
    
  • Challenge Medley Activity
    
  • Final Circle

BAM! Appendix

• BAM! Group Evaluation: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
  
• BAM! Group Goals (Briefly Stated)
  
• Links Between BAM! Group Objectives and Evaluation Items
  
• BAM! Group Participant Pre-Evaluation Form
  
• BAM! Group Participant Post-Evaluation Form (Part 1)
  
• BAM! Group Participant Post-Evaluation Form (Part 2)
  
• BAM! Group Adult Post-Evaluation Form
  
• Sample Permission Form
  
• Additional Activities and Discussion Topics
  
  • Deconstruct Manliness Messages
    
  • Act Like a Man Box
    
  • Take a Stand
    
  • A Man You Look Up To
    
  • Father Conversations
    
  • Silent Circle Dash
    
  • Monster Cards
    
  • Defining Impulsivity
    
  • Calming, Slowing Down
    
  • Being Assertive is HARD