Teenagers in Heard County got a powerful dose of reality at the 2014 Teen Maze event. Teen Maze is an interactive event that gives students the opportunity to safely explore the challenges of the teenage years—and face the consequences of their actions—in a very realistic simulation.
Teen Maze events have been growing in popularity across the nation as a powerful way to teach teens how to make smart choices in challenging situations so they can enjoy greater opportunities in life. This hands-on educational experience confronts students with real-life scenarios and shows them how the decisions they make as teenagers can impact the rest of their lives.
“It is basically the ‘Game of Life’ brought to life,” said Kathy Knowles, executive director of Heard County Community Partnership. “It adds a sense of reality to things that they might experience in a context they can understand.”
The Heard County Teen Maze took place Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26 at the Heard County Recreation Center at 2020 Thompson Road in Franklin. Parents were invited to a preview night on Monday, March 24. The maze was offered to Heard County students in seventh through 12th grades.
The Teen Maze event examined risky behaviors in a safe, controlled and eerily realistic environment. For example, one part of the maze featured a party scene where teens learn the consequences of drinking or using drugs. Participants wore impairment goggles while driving a golf cart to simulate driving under the influence, and also experienced how texting while driving can be disastrous.
After the party reenactment, the maze led to a dramatic demonstration of a horrible car accident caused by driving under the influence. Actors portrayed the victims and distraught parents, while actual first responders and law enforcement officers were present to explain the legal ramifications of drunk driving.
The maze also explored healthy eating and exercise and how these lifestyle choices make an impact on the rest of a person’s life. This portion of the maze was organized by Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well initiative, along with an activity focused on tobacco prevention.
“We’re showing these teens the consequences of using tobacco — from horrific cancers to yellow teeth,” said Phyllis Head, community outreach coordinator at Tanner Health System. “It’s very visual and shocking, but we want them to see the harsh reality of using tobacco.” For instance, one photo shows the gruesome image of a cancer patient with part of his face peeled back for surgery to remove a jaw tumor caused by dipping tobacco.
Another part of the maze examined the consequences of teenage sex, including unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Teens were confronted with graphic images of STDs and had the opportunity to wear a 30-pound pregnancy vest and learn about the reality of caring for a baby that cries relentlessly. Medical staff from Tanner Health System were on hand to answer questions related to teen pregnancy and infant care.
The maze is sometimes difficult to experience, but that’s part of its mission. “It’s a real eye opener,” Head explains. “Teens don’t think about consequences a lot of the time, so we are putting the consequences right in front of them.”
The maze was a major community effort involving more than 20 local organizations. Knowles said the level of interest and support from the community was amazing. “We believe in the power of bringing together the community to initiate positive change,” said Gina Brandenburg, program manager for Get Healthy, Live Well. “Working on the Teen Maze in Heard County, we have been able to nurture relationships between diverse individuals and organizations from across the community.”
The Teen Maze event was an example of the educational outreach programs made possible by robust community partnerships. Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well initiative supported the program as an effective way to bring high-quality community-level interventions that help create a stronger, healthier community. The group is also partnering with organizations in Haralson County who are planning to host a Teen Maze in Bremen next September.
For more information contact Kathy Knowles with Heard County Community Partnership at 706.302.9776 or kck@heardccp.org.