About UsAbout Us
Local Youth At-Risk
Clinch Mountain Life Development and Recreation Center, Inc., is a 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit corporation established in Grainger County, Tennessee.
The organization has several unique programs we wish to offer, such as a camping/recreational programs that will offer a variety of outdoor lessons, education, and activities to at-risk and physically- and/or developmentally-challenged youth, while connecting people across generations and socioeconomic barriers.
Our programs offer promotion of social responsibility, accountability and overall mental, emotional, and physical wellness in participating young Appalachian children and local elderly. The programs for disadvantaged youth, handicapped and elderly to enjoy activities like camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, mentoring, life and social skills.
In Appalachia during year 2000 there were 237,251 felony offenses committed in the states comprising much of the heart of Appalachia and the Southeast by children under the age of 18. Yet studies confirm for children who participate regularly in outdoor recreational activities that bring all types of people together, sharing common experiences, etc., they are less likely to become delinquent than those children who have had limited exposure to such situations. Clinch Mountain Life Development and Recreation Center, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Clinch Mountain") has the wonderful opportunity to help decrease these frightening local statistics by providing at-risk children in this region with a positive, educational outdoor experience that is supplemented by mentoring experiences with caring adults---elderly adults who will act as surrogate grandparents.
It is a generally accepted idea that children living in at-risk or poverty stricken situations are often ill-afforded any opportunity to take part in outdoor activities that introduce them to lessons to be learned in nature, and expose them to a variety of caring individuals...the lack of which can bear serious detrimental setbacks to their futures as responsible adults. Whether the reasons for this lack of outdoor experience be geographic separation, social ineptness, or as is most often the case, financial inability...disadvantaged children are often left by the wayside when it comes to learning some of nature's most valuable lessons.
Mother Nature
Many people view Mother Nature as one of the original educators of those lessons concerning respect for others, respect for life and "things" not yours, as well as personal responsibility for one's actions. Clinch Mountain understands that nature's precedents can prove invaluable to the life of a child living in socio-economically compromised situation--hence their programs will prove to be priceless to those who participate. We are a not-for-profit organization that provides exceptional learning adventures to all age groups.
"Clinch Mountains leisure education and therapeutic recreation are assistive tools to enable individuals to gain a broader understanding of where, why, how, and with whom he/she can pursue their interests and experiences and unlearn non-adaptive and learn more functional responses... i.e. to develop different modes of leisure behavior which will enable the individual to adapt to the environment to meet his/her free time needs."
We believe learning is a lifelong pursuit that opens minds and enriches lives. We believe sharing new ideas, challenges, and experiences is rewarding in every season of life. Our participants come from every walk of life to learn together, to exchange ideas, and to explore the world.
The NEED
Tennessee crime index:
The State of Tennessee had a total Crime Index of 4,890.2 reported incidents per 100,000 people. In the year 2000 Tennessee ranked against the states:
16 th in U.S. population of 5,689,283; 10 th highest total Crime Index; 5 th highest Violent Crime; 13 th highest for Property crimes; 7 th highest rate for Murder; 15 th highest reported Forced Rapes; 9 th highest for Robbery; 4 th highest Aggravated Assaults; 6 th highest Burglaries;21 st highest Larceny; 9 th highest Vehicle theft .Contact Us