Great Opportunities (GO) was founded in 2002 and works with High Risk Children, ages 7 to 18 years old, from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, El Toro. Capo Beach, and San Clemente.  GO’s swim lessons and Beach Awareness Program are both offered at no cost to the participants.  GO has given swim lessons to over 2,652 kids of San Juan Capistrano and in addition, GO has had over 662 children in the Beach Awareness Program.  Swim classes range from beginning to intermediate to advanced levels.  The Beach Awareness Program, which promotes ocean safety and environmental awareness.

The components of the current Beach Awareness Program are Aquatic Safety, Environmental Education, and Recreation.

The At Risk Youth participate in:
Beach activities and Beach safety.
Lessons in how the beach is produced as well as ocean current and waves.
Boating safety and etiquette.
Deep sea fishing.
Visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Study the ocean floor and living organisms of the ocean.

Great Opportunities Beach Awareness Program uses the Orange County Transportation Authority bus system to go to various locations.  This is the only cost incurred by participants (and can prohibit some families from participating).  GO will supply body boards and soft surf boards for Beach Awareness Program.

Great Opportunities and Program Objectives:

It is important to note that all GO events/projects are youth-lead, and guidance is given to assist them in being successful.

Lifeguards are 16 years or older (required by American Red Cross to be enrolled in class) and can enroll in a Lifeguarding course at Saddleback Junior College.  In the course work individuals are taught water rescue skills, and certified in 1^st Aide & CPR.  Compensation is a hourly salary of $10.

LMT’s (are kids below the age of 16 that assist with the GO program) they are given swim instruction on how to conduct a swim lesson and what elements to incorporate.  Course work is given on Bulling by a specialist in the field and how to defuse confrontation.  Course work and certification is given in 1^st Aid and CPR.

LMT’s are paid a stipend from $50 to $550 based on their contribution to the program.

Growth in Leadership

High risk youth (7^th grade and higher) are given the opportunity to instruct and guide other children.  The Lifeguards are challenged in a college setting in completing the Lifeguarding course.  The challenges exist in the course work, the physical exertion, and the 52 hours of attendance required.   LMT’s will work with participants giving swim instruction to youth ages 7 to 17.  Lifeguards and LMT’s will also give directions with regards to the rules the kids who in attend the Beach Awareness Program.

1. Lifeguard and LMT’s will be required to research and present to attendees of the Beach Awareness Program on different topics that are program related to the beach environment (topics will be chosen by GO instructors).

For the children that attend the swim portion of the program, a short 10 minute math practice is given to each participant (problems are taken from grade specific work book).

Participants of the San Clemente swim program are requested to spend one hour working on math problems.  Thru negotiation with City of San Clemente of low income families, children are bused to Taliaga Swim Complex to take in swim lessons offered by the city at a reduced cost.

At the end of the GO Summer Program a verbal evaluation of the Program is given by Lifeguards and LMT’s.  Evaluations will consist of what they have gained as a intricate part the GO Program and what aspect of the Great Opportunities (Swim & Beach Awareness Program) they would change.

Great Opportunities of other events during the course of the year:

First, GO takes part in “Mongoose Cup” (a “Stand Up Paddle” (SUP) competition) The SUP is created from used plastic drinking bottles (the Plastiki).  The board is built by the high risk youth from the GO program.

“Earth Day” (GO supplies gloves and trash bags) to kids and family members are given the task of cleaning up their neighborhood by picking up trash.

GO offers a Bike Rodeo (a bicycle safety event) to residents of San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, El Toro, and Dana Point in which Great Opportunities gives out bicycle helmets to all participants in attendance.

The G.O. kids also participate in the City of San Juan Capistrano “Creek Clean Up”, an event that also celebrates “Coastal Clean Up”.

“West Wind Sailing” located in Dana Point Harbor offers Learn to Sail Program in the Fall season at no charge to the high risk kids of Great Opportunities.

Works in progress:

Great Opportunities is leading the charge in the coalition to have a Skate Plaza constructed in San Juan Capistrano.

GO is focused on a event of Financial Literacy for the youth of Orange County.

Since its inception in 2002, the mission of Great Opportunities has been to provide under advantaged kids the opportunity to see their potential and understand that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves.

Great Opportunities is about opening the doors for children and exposing them to the possibilities; the decision is theirs our job is to give them the tools they will need to achieve.

The vision statement of Great Opportunities is to create a safe and supportive environment in which youth can achieve a foundation of knowledge, skills, and experience by way of observation, education, and hands on involvement as it relates to the aquatic environment.

Budget cuts have devastated after school and summer programs in low income neighborhoods.  Beneficial programs then become difficult to locate in these deprived areas. These young children then spend their afternoon and summer vacation with minimal supervision, make these youth susceptible to the influences of gangs. Not to mention lack of mind stimulating activities. For over the last decade  Great Opportunities have provided learning programs for children  We believes if it opens the doors of opportunity through education, first hand experiences and positive mentoring. The child will be better prepared to handle leadership roles in our program, school and their community. This is and will continue to benefit all concerned.

Our mission focuses on high density low income neighborhoods in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano which are under the Orange County, California Gang Injunction zone.  Many of the children don’t have the discretionary income to participate in other organized leagues or athletic events. We ask the participants parents for a donation. However, we will not turn a kid away for nonpayment. Great Opportunities provides under advantaged kids the opportunity to see their potential and understand that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves. We are about opening the doors for children and exposing them to the possibilities; the decision is theirs our job is to give them the tools they will need to achieve.