These individuals volunteered at last year’s Teen Maze at C.A. Gray Junior High School. Organizers are again seeking the community’s help to present ninth graders with ‘a life-size Game of Life.’

The second annual “Teen Maze,” spearheaded by the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee, is scheduled for Oct. 3 and 4 at C.A. Gray Junior High School in the gymnasium and will target students in the ninth grade.

“Joyce Meyer says that it is easier to build a child than it is to repair an adult,” said C.A. Gray Principal Thelma Jackson. “Opportunities such as Teen Maze are practical avenues to build the capacity of our children.”

Best described as a life-size “Game of Life,” Teen Maze helps teens see firsthand the consequences of life choices. Volunteers interact with teen participants in a fun and creative way to convey important information about a variety of health and educational issues.

The interactive “game” provides information on topics that include sexual abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, sexting, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol rehabilitation, legal consequences, labor and delivery, teen parenting, HIV/AIDS, DUIs and post-graduation career and educational choices.

Students will have about an hour to go through the maze. There are many options, and the maze provides a unique experience for each student.

“It gives our students an insight on real life issues. They are able to see the positive and negative consequences of their choices in life.” said Pamela Heidelberg, C.A. Gray’s ninth grade counselor.

The ultimate goal of the Teen Maze is to stimulate teens to think about potential ramifications of their choices without placing judgment on any of the paths chosen. The teens learn about the outcomes when faced with a real-life decision about driving home after a party or getting into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking. This year’s maze will feature the MADD car exhibit and a funeral station. At all stations, trained volunteers and professionals will interact with the students and field any questions they might have. There is also a debriefing station where counselors will talk to each student.

The Teen Maze has gained much support from the community, according to a press release about the event.

“Having the support of our community says to our students, we want you to succeed. It’s amazing how many people come together to share their time and their talents to help us educate the whole child,” Heidelberg said.

The Chamber’s Workforce Development Committee relies on the generous donations from local businesses and organizations to fund the Teen Maze. Also, many local organizations and business are donating time through volunteering, which is providing expertise in the fields of healthcare, social services, law enforcement, mental health, banking, and education.

Katrina Bivins, Teen Maze 2013 chairperson, said, “Teen Maze is a tremendous opportunity for the community to invest into the lives of our youth by illustrating that the decisions they make today have a direct impact on their future. Regardless of ethnicity, socio-economic status, or degree of education, one bad choice can change the course of their lives and that of others for a lifetime. Volunteers and donations are greatly needed and appreciated, as it takes an entire community to make the most profound impact on our youth.”

The Teen Maze is quite an undertaking, and organizers need 200 volunteers to sign up by Sept. 16. Volunteer forms are available at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce or through a member of the Workforce Development Committee. Call (229) 985-2131 for more information on volunteering or donating to Teen Maze.