Youth

Youth have one of the highest prevalence rates of problem gambling. In response to this, the Council has many programs geared toward youth. Over the past two years, the Council has presented information about problem gambling prevention to 15 schools throughout Massachusetts including: Oliver Ames High School in Easton, Sharon High School, Lenox High School, and Millbury High School.

The Gambling Is Not Magic Show captured audiences with its “magical” way of looking at risk-taking as it pertained to youth gambling. The Council also presented at a number of youth focused conferences including, the Massachusetts Peer Helper’s Association/Students against Destructive Decisions Annual Statewide Conference and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Associations' Leadership Summit. The Council was a founding member and continues to be an active participant in Partners in Prevention, a program of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

In addition, the Council, in collaboration with the North Brookfield Youth Center, has developed an afterschool program for middle school and junior high school students. The Creative Activities for Probability and Statistics (CAPS) Program is a 12-session, highly-interactive training curriculum that focuses primarily on the mathmatical areas of statistics, probability, odds, number sense and critical thinking. Studies have indicated that an increased understanding of probability and statistics can have a positive impact on the prevention of problem gambling in youth. The CAPS Program is a movement-oriented, hands-on approach to providing the knowledge and skills that students need to attain critical thinking skills.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, please contact Jim Wuelfing, Council Prevention Director at 617-426-4554 / jim@masscompulsivegambling.org.