Resilience Through Understanding

Resilience Through Understanding Program

Resilience Through Understanding (RTU) is an educational program for middle- and high-school aged youth that teaches the health risks of substance use and offers access to fun, healthy activities. The Collaborative has expanded its traditional program offerings to include a spring/summer RTU program season, in addition to the longstanding fall/winter program season. Through RTU, The Collaborative gives participating youth and schools real-world incentives to remain substance free through season passes to Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton Mountain Bike Park, Riley Rink Ice Skating, Viking Nordic Center, Magic Mountain, Dorset Theatre Festival, Riley Rink Disc Golf, and Vermont State Parks.

 

Thanks to these organizations’ generous commitment, combined with oversight from The Collaborative, the RTU program reaches students from Arlington Memorial High School, Burr and Burton Academy, The Dorset School, Flood Brook School, Leland & Gray, Long Trail School, Maple Street School, Manchester Elementary and Middle School, The Mountain School at Winhall, and the homeschool community within the catchment area of the above schools.

Got RTU Questions?

Email rtu@thecollaborative.us for help!

RTU logo with mountain
Two high school boys holding clutches of colorful helium balloons

Seasonal Program Information

Fall/Winter Program

Fall/Winter Program Portal

In this Program Portal, you will find details about registration, payment, events, RTU Representative contact information, and links to all required surveys. This Fall/Winter Program Portal will always be accessible through this Refuse To Use page on The Collaborative’s website.

Fall/Winter Registration

Registration for the 2023-2024 Fall/Winter season is now open! There is a $35 registration fee for Leland & Gray students and a $50 registration fee for all other participants. Email rtu@thecollaborative.us for questions about or help with registration.

Fall/Winter Payment

You can pay for your Fall/Winter RTU registration fees by mailing a check, via Venmo, or by paying with a credit or debit card. For complete payment instructions, access the Program Info page through the Fall/Winter Program Portal or visit the Program Payment page on The Collaborative's website.

Spring/Summer Program

Spring/Summer Program Portal

In this virtual Program Portal for the Spring/Summer season, you will find details about registration, payment, events, RTU Representative contact information, and links to all required surveys. This Spring/Summer Program Portal will always be accessible through this Refuse To Use page on The Collaborative’s website.

Spring/Summer Registration

Registration opens on April 15, 2023 at 5PM. There is a $30 registration fee for Vermont Macrame, Riley Rink Disk Golf, and Vermont State Parks passes and a $40 registration fee for the Stratton Mountain Biking pass. Registration forms and fee payments must be received by May 31, 2023 to earn the incentive on time. Email rtu@thecollaborative.us for questions about or help with registration.

Spring/Summer Payment

You can pay for your Spring/Summer RTU registration fees by check, via Venmo, or by paying with a credit or debit card. For complete payment instructions, access the Program Info page through the virtual Spring/Summer Program Portal or by visiting the Program Payment page on The Collaborative's website. Registration fee payments must be received by May 31, 2023 to avoid fee increases.

RTU Events Calendar

RTU Senior Scholarship

The RTU Senior Scholarship award is for $1,500.00 to go toward post-secondary educational pursuits. Eligible applicants include any current Refuse To Use senior who is in good standing with the program. Good standing means that student work is up to date, of a good standard, and that the student has adhered to all requirements as outlined by the Refuse To Use policies, rules, and regulations. If you would like more information about the RTU Senior Scholarship, email rtu@thecollaborative.us.

The Senior Scholarship application window for the current year is closed! Check back in the Spring of 2024 for next year's application information.

Student artwork panels compiled into a collage from the 2021-2022 program season

RTU Awards

RTU Senior Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to our 2022-2023 RTU Senior Scholarship recipient – Ruth Wright! We are so proud of Ruth and her dedication to improving the world around her. Good luck with your future endeavors!

RTU Rep of the Year

Susan Towslee, Burr and Burton Academy Rep

According to Programs Coordinator Natalie Philpot, "Sue is kind, compassionate, extremely well-organized and is always willing to go above and beyond to help a student in need. She is an asset to me as the Programs Coordinator, and to the entire RTU community. Sue is deeply valued for her work and we are so thrilled she has won this year's Rep of the Year."

Want to bring RTU to your community?

Check back soon to find out about how you can obtain a license to implement our program anywhere.

Program Portal Archive