Peer mentoring is a unique and somewhat different approach to mentoring than the better-known adult-with-youth mentoring model. In cross-age mentoring programs (CAMPs) the mentor is an older youth, typically high school-aged, who is paired or matched with an elementary or middle school-aged child.

The prime program focus is on relationship development, helping mentees understand their value and importance as persons, and facilitating character development. In this developmental approach, although a curriculum or other structural guide can be used, the goal is for the mentor to provide empathy, friendship, and attention to the child and to establish a caring relationship with him or her. Any prescribed goals, whether career, academic, or behavioral, come second to simply being a friend.  Both mentor and mentee can meet their unique developmental needs through this relationship arrangement.

The Power of Peers
Children and youth take their peers’ and other youths’ assessments of them very seriously, which means that a good relationship with a high school mentor may convey important messages to a youth about her or his worth, likeability, and attractiveness to others.  The more consistent the mentors are, the greater their mentees’ gains in social skills, connectedness, and self-esteem.

For Mentors
Volunteers receive such beneficial advantages as the ability to relate better to parents, an increase in self-esteem, better conflict resolution skills, and enhanced organization skills. Mentoring helps them to improve their ability to communicate with children, to become more responsible, and to forge a stronger connection to their community.  Volunteers can also receive accredited community service hours for their time spent as a mentor.

Requirements of mentors are as follows:
• Youth who are caring, helpful, and interested in others.
• A thorough screening process that consists of in-depth personal references  from diverse sources (e.g.; teachers, employer, faith leader, coach, etc.)
• Initial and ongoing training that prepares and empowers mentors.



For Mentees
Beneficial advantages include gains in connectedness, and self-esteem, better attitudes toward  school, community & peers, self-efficacy, improved grades or academic achievement, increased social skills, and a decrease in behavior problems as well as.  They will also receive training that shows how to make the most of the relationship with their mentor which will also influence the other relationships in their life.

Matches are closely supervised and monitored to ensure that mentors are attending to their mentees during mentoring meetings. Additionally, when a given mentor begins to miss meetings, staff must intervene to fix the situation, either by encouraging the mentor to attend more regularly or by helping the mentee to understand the loss of the mentor and to not personalize the mentor’s absence.

Youth mentors need both structure and support to set realistic goals, problem-solve, and process their experience.  Those who choose to work with challenging mentees will receive additional support to prevent burnout and possible negative mentor outcomes.  Not all mentors are equipped to meet the demands of high-risk mentees.

Once a match is made, Heartland Staff will provide clear expectations for mentors and mentees regarding:
• Frequency of meetings
• Duration of meetings
• Duration of match
• Closure process

CAMPs typically last throughout the year, meeting weekly 20-40 times a year, depending upon the needs of the mentee and the availability of a mentor.

For more information please fill out the Camps Contact Us Form below.