2. Upcoming Events
● FINAL meeting is FRIDAY, MAY 18
● Spaghetti Fundraiser for Skate Park
○ Saturday, April 21st - 3:00-6:00PM at Portage Elks Lodge
○ Contact Sue at 608-697-3256
● Physical Therapy Workshop
○ Monday, April 23rd - 5:30-6:00PM at New Life Physical Therapy
○ Visit www.newlifept.com/portageworkshop to reserve your spot
● DSH Rehab Open House
○ Tuesday, April 24th - 6:00-8:00PM at the Wellness Center
○ Free refreshments & giveaways
● Agrace Hospice Volunteer Orientation
○ Wednesday, April 25th - 9:00AM-1:00PM at Baraboo Agrace Hospice
○ Seeking volunteers who brighten locals with serious illnesses by making companionship visits in
patients’ homes or in nursing facilities. Call 608-327-7163 to register
3. Upcoming Events
● Healthy Cooking Classes
○ April 25-May 9th (Wednesdays) - 6:00PM at Seventh Day Adventist Church
○ No charge! Call 608-742-3322 to enroll
● Ice Cream Social
○ Friday, April 27th - 2:00-4:00PM at Our House Senior Living
● Teen Video Game Night
○ Friday, April 27th - 4:00-5:30PM at Portage Public Library
○ Snacks and video games
● Habitat for Humanity Shanty Town
○ Saturday, May 5th 3:00PM-Sunday, May 6th 9:00AM at Lodi Fairgrounds
○ Groups of teens from the area spend the night in cardboard homes to raise awareness for housing issues.
Contact Lisa at 608-448-2888
● Poetry Open Mic
○ Tuesday, May 8th - 6:00-8:00PM at Suzy’s Steak & Seafood
● Harmony for the Homeless Concert
○ Saturday, May 12th - 7:00-9:00PM at Portage Center for the Arts
4. Activity
Scenario 1: PHYSICAL PEER PRESSURE (Most common)
Jenna just got her driver’s license, and her dad is going to let her borrow his new car. However,
in order to drive the vehicle, Jenna can have no more than two friends in the SUV, is not
allowed go out of town, and must be home at 11 p.m. Three of Jenna’s friends want her to drive
them to a party 30 miles away.
Scenario 2: SILENT PEER PRESSURE
Emma and her friends made a goal to get healthier together. Emma’s best friends have lost a
lot of weight, but she can’t seem to keep up, so she decides to stop eating.
Scenario 3: POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE
Amy’s friend Jake wants to drop out of school because he is failing. Amy tells him to meet her
after school to talk about what’s going on. Amy plans to offer to tutor Jake, but he doesn’t
want the help.
5. Discussion
● Peer pressure is NOT always negative and it’s NOT always influenced
by close friends
○ Encouraging friends to get involved in a new club/sport, trying new foods, getting
to school on time, etc.
● Negative peer pressure leads to bullying
○ Those individuals feel secure and powerful if others follow their lead
● Tips to overcome peer pressure & bullying
○ Hang out with positive people ONLY
○ Stick to your values and beliefs, you’ll be proud you did
○ Practice self-worth (learn to be assertive, ditch negative self talk, focus on your
strengths)
6. Closing Announcements
● LAST meeting is FRIDAY, MAY 18
○ Senior farewell, end-of-year party, evaluations
● EARTH DAY CLEANUP THIS SUNDAY!
● LIKE and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for GEMS Facebook page!!!
○ Stay in the loop for information on NEXT YEAR!