Tioga County Reality Check youth participate in experiential training

Tobacco Free Broome and Tioga Reality Check youth recently participated in an experiential training at Orenda Springs in Marcellus, N.Y. Reality Check coordinators and staff at Orenda Springs encouraged over 25 youth from central New York State to foster a deeper understanding of self, others, and nature. 

The youth gathered together for a hands-on training working on enhancing leadership skills and team building to aid in their fight against the tobacco industry through education of local and state lawmakers. 

Youth completed a high ropes course that highlighted their endurance and fortitude while overcoming fears with much encouragement and cheering from their fellow reality check leaders. They also completed a low ropes course, which compelled them to strategize as a team to complete an obstacle.   

Much like the high and low ropes courses, Reality Check youth must overcome their fear of educating and speaking out to elected officials and lawmakers during the fight against Big Tobacco. 

Exposure to tobacco marketing, tobacco use in places youth frequent, and smoking in movies creates a sense of normalcy that tobacco use and marketing towards kids is acceptable.  

Reality Check youth work towards creating policies such as prohibiting tobacco retailers from locating within a certain distance to a school and making parks tobacco free. Reality Check engages youth as leaders and activists in the movement against tobacco use and the tobacco industry.  

Reality Check is a youth led adult supported group of Tobacco Free Broome and Tioga through the Broome County Health Department.  

For more information about how to join Reality Check, call Beth Smalt, Tioga County Reality Check coordinator, at (607) 778-2885 or visit www.realitycheckofny.com/.