Javon, a student at North Star Academy Charter School in Newark, NJ tells how Project U.S.E. helped give him the courage to listen to his instincts and share his voice with fellow students, leading them in the new outdoor environment. Honing his keen observation and sketching skills on Project U.S.E. expeditions, Javon has developed a passion for botany and plans to pursue it in college.

Project U.S.E. has been working with North Star Academy Charter School in Newark since its inception in 1997. Each year, Project U.S.E. leads a rite-of-passage-expedition for North Star’s 9th Grade Class. Project U.S.E.’s Boatbuilding Program is also a vital experiential component of North Star’s curriculum.