Resources for Boys

Tips, Tools and Techniques Worth Looking Into

VIDEO SHORTS | MENTOR RECOMMENDED BOOKS & MOVIES | RESOURCES

 

BOOKS – MENTOR RECOMMENDED READING If you cannot find a copy in your school library or access one online, let your BCN chapter leader know and we’ll find one for you.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS | Don Miguel Ruiz 
In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements ( Be impeccable with your word; Don’t take anything personally; Don’t make assumptions ; Always do your best ) offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. “Don Miguel Ruiz’s book is a roadmap to enlightenment and freedom.” – Deepak Chopra, Author, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.  Recommended by more BCN mentors than any other book – Frank Giustra, Brian Paes-Braga, Chef Trevor Bird, and many others.  Easy to understand lessons based on ancient wisdom, to incorporate into your life no matter who you are or where you live.

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TEENS | Sean Covey
Imagine you had a roadmap—a step-by-step guide to help you get from where you are now, to where you want to be in the future. Your goals, your dreams, your plans…they are all within reach. You just need the tools to help you get there.  A handbook to self-esteem and success. Now updated for the digital age, this classic book applies the timeless principles of the 7 Habits to the tough issues and life-changing decisions teens face. In an entertaining style, Covey provides a simple approach to help teens improve self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, and get along with their parents, as well as tackle the new challenges of our time, like cyberbullying and social media. In addition, this book is stuffed with cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real teens from all over the world. An indispensable book for teens, as well as parents, teachers, counselors. Recommended by several BCN mentors, including Cactus Club Restaurant founder/owner Richard Jaffray.

ABSOLUTE TRUE DIARY ABOUT A PART-TIME INDIAN | Sherman Alexie | BOOK
Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.  Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author’s own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character’s art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.  Recommended by BCN President Walter Mustapich.  Written from an American perspective but a must-read all the same, for better understanding First Nations students and the process of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

THE ROAD | Cormac McCarthy – Pulitzer Prize Winner
A searing, post-apocalyptic novel about a father and son’s fight to survive. A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other. The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.  Recommended by Sean Rogers, teacher at YDC (Youth Detention Centre), Burnaby

THINK AND GROW RICH | Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich, based on the author’s famed Law of Success, represents the distilled wisdom of distinguished men of great wealth and achievement. Andrew Carnegie’s magic formula for success was the direct inspiration for this book. Carnegie demonstrated its soundness when his coaching brought fortunes to those young men to whom he had disclosed his secret. This book will teach you that secret—and the secrets of other great men like him. It will show you not only what to do but also how to do it. If you learn and apply the simple basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success—and you may have whatever you want in life!  Napoleon Hill was born in 1883 in Virginia and had a long and successful career as a lecturer, author, and consultant to business leaders. His Think and Grow Rich is the all-time bestseller in its field, having sold millions of copies worldwide, and setting the standard for today’s motivational thinking. He died in 1970.  Fantastic life lessons that resonate today as much as they did when Napoleon Hill was a young man.  Countless BCN mentors like Kirmac Collision co-founder Ian McIntosh, Goldcorp’s Ian Telfer, and many others, have recommended this book.

EDUCATED | Tara Westover
Tara Westover was seventeen when she first set foot in a classroom. Instead of traditional lessons, she grew up learning how to stew herbs into medicine, scavenging in the family scrap yard and helping her family prepare for the apocalypse. She had no birth certificate and no medical records and had never been enrolled in school. Westover’s mother proved a marvel at concocting folk remedies for many ailments. As Tara developed her own coping mechanisms, little by little, she started to realize that what her family was offering didn’t have to be her only education. Her first day of university was her first day in school—ever—and she would eventually win an esteemed fellowship from Cambridge and graduate with a PhD in intellectual history and political thought. A fabulous story about family, mentors, resilience, mental health, overcoming seemingly impossible odds, and the transformative and life-changing value of education.  Recommended by BCN mentor and BCIT Vice President James Rout.

THE WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR | Dan Millman
During his junior year at the University of California, while training to become a world-champion gymnast, Dan Millman stumbled on a 94-year-old mentor nicknamed Socrates, a powerful, unpredictable, and elusive character. He taught a way to maximize performance using a unique blend of Eastern philosophy and Western fitness to cultivate the true essence of a champion – the way of the peaceful warrior. Millman’s first-person account of his odyssey into realms of light, darkness, mind,body, and spirit has since become an international bestseller about the universal quest for happiness.  A great read for boys – underscores the enduring value of ancient wisdom, especially among modern chaos, and that true happiness is an attitude of gratitude.  Recommended by countless BCN mentors.  The Hidden School (sequel) and The Live You Were Born to Live are two other mentor recommended books by Dan Millman.

AS A MAN THINKETH: original 1902 edition | James Allen
As we think, so we become. This fundamental truth, which some have called “The Secret” or the “Law of Attraction,” was clearly and convincingly argued for the first time in James Allen’s masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh. Allen reveals how our thoughts shape our character, and manifest themselves in our finances, health, appearance, and environment. The choice is yours: either master your thoughts and create the life you want; or remain mired in negativity, frustration, and failure. Readng As a Man Thinketh helps students consider ways to exercise more control over their destiny today.  Recommended by several BCN mentors.

 

MOVIES – MENTOR RECOMMENDED FAVOURITES
As with all PG and restricted media, check with a parent or guardian before viewing. Commonsensemedia.org is a great reference for young people and their parents/guardians to review film content before viewing.

FINDING FORRESTER | Drama/Sports | PG13 | Sean Connery | Columbia Pictures   Play trailer | Link to movie
A unique relationship develops between an eccentric, reclusive novelist and a young, amazingly gifted scholar-athlete. After the novelist discovers that the young athlete is also an excellent writer and secretly takes him on as his protégé, they develop an unlikely friendship. As they learn more about each other, they learn more about themselves, and ultimately, with the help of his new mentor, the basketball star must choose the right path.

CREED | Drama/Sports | PG | Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone | MGM Warner | Play trailer
Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa. Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring. With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring? (link to movie option is in right margin, next to trailer)

MIRACLE | Sports Docu-drama | PG | Kurt Russell | Buena Vista Disney | Play trailer | Link to movie
The inspiring story of the team that transcended its sport and united a nation with a new feeling of hope. Based on the true story of one of the greatest moments in sports history, the tale captures a time and place where differences could be settled by games and a cold war could be put on ice. In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team’s coach, Herb Brooks, took a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Despite the long odds, Team USA carried the pride of a nation yearning from a distraction from world events. With the world watching the team rose to the occasion, prompting broadcaster Al Michaels’ now famous question, to the millions viewing at home: “Do you believe in a miracle? Yes!” (link to movie option is in right margin, next to trailer)

UNBROKEN | Documentary | Snowboard Life of Mike McMorris | Un-rated | Adam Burwell | Play trailer | Link to movie
Canada’s Mark McMorris has defied the odds since he began his snowboarding career in 2009. Filmmaker, and childhood friend, Adam Burwell follows Mark every step of the way as he competes with the world’s best in Big Air and Slopestyle earning his spot on the Canadian Olympic team. Then on March 25, 2017, everything changes. With the competition season over, Mark explores the Whistler backcountry with his brother Craig, Torstein Horgmo, and friends. While cameras are rolling, the unthinkable happens – a horrific accident leaves Mark clinging to life with his brother and friends doing all they can to save him. After Mark wakes up in ICU, a battle to save his life becomes a battle to save his passion and career as a professional snowboarder with an uncertain future ahead of him. With intimate access, this 44-minute documentary shows 23-year old Mark McMorris at his most vulnerable and resilient as he battles to get back on his board and doing what he loves. Candid interviews with family, friends, and snowboarding legends tell the story of one of the sport’s most influential riders facing an existential crisis.

THE BLIND SIDE | Drama/Sports | PG13 | Sandra Bulloch, Tim McGraw | Warner  Play trailer | Link to movie
A remarkable true story of All-American football star Michael Oher. Teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). Learning that the young man is one of her daughter’s classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael-wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter-come out of the cold. Without a moment’s hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness becomes much more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. And as the family helps Michael fulfill his potential, both on and off the football field, Michael’s presence in the Tuohys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. (link to movie option is in right margin, next to trailer)

PAY IT FORWARD | Comedy/Drama/Romance | PG13 | Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt | Warner   Play trailer | Link to movie
Academy Award winners Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey star with Haley Joel Osment as a struggling single mother, a social studies teacher whose placid life is in perfect order and the student whose class assignment has profound repercussions when, instead of paying it back, the recipient of a kindness must Pay It Forward. The assignment is simple:Look at the world around you and fix what you don’t like. #1 It has to be something that really helps people #2 Something they can’t do by themselves. #3 Do it for them, and they do it for three other people. But teacher Eugene Simonet (Spacey) never expects one his students to take the assignment to heart, much less the profound, unanticipated effects that Trevor McKinney’s (Osment) actions will have on the world around him.

HUNGER GAMES | Science Fiction/Thriller |  PG 13 | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson | Lions Gate Play trailer
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

BAND OF BROTHERS | Drama/Mini-Series | (Cautions) | Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks | Play trailer
Band of Brothers is a dramatized account of “Easy Company” (part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment), assigned to the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Over ten episodes the series details the company’s exploits during the war. Starting with jump training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, Band of Brothers follows the unit through the American airborne landings in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Siege of Bastogne, and on to the war’s end. It includes the taking of the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) at Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden and refers to the surrender of Japan. Major Richard Winters (1918–2011) is the central character, shown working to accomplish the company’s missions and keep his men together and safe. While the series features a large ensemble cast, each episode generally focuses on a single character, following his action.  As the series is based on historic events, the fates of the characters reflect those of the persons on which they are based. Many either die or sustain serious wounds which lead to their being sent home. Other soldiers recover after treatment in field hospitals and rejoin their units on the front line. Their experiences, and the moral, mental, and physical hurdles they must overcome, are central to the narrative.

Shawshank Redemption | Drama | R 15+ Cautions | Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman | Play trailer
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and another man and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn’t commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years.  Recommended by Sean Rogers, teacher at YDC (Youth Detention Centre), Burnaby

 

VIDEOS – DIGITAL LIFE AND ZOMBIES

WHAT I LEARNED WHEN I GAVE UP MY CELL PHONE | Hays Edmunds | TEDxYouth@MBJH
A LESSON IN MODERATION – “When I was bouncing ideas around ideas for my TED talk, I had the idea to talk about people’s dependence on technology, especially smartphones. I liked that idea, but it was missing something. I thought ‘Could I live without technology? What if I did?’ And then a new idea hit me – I could give up technology for a month to see if it really was possible.”- Hays Edmunds Hays Edmunds is a ninth-grade student at Mountain Brook Junior High. His interests include playing music, playing lacrosse, and hanging out with his friends. Hays spent an entire month without technology, and, in his words, “It was very, very, very tough.”

WHAT YOU ARE MISSING BY BEING A DIGITAL ZOMBIE | Patrik Wincent | TEDxStockholm
DIGITAL STRESS – In a hyperconnected world, where mobile devices have become appendices to our body and people check their social media accounts hundreds of times a day, human interaction is sacrificed daily in favour of digital exchanges. In his talk from TEDxStockholm event “Generation WHY?”, psychotherapist Patrik Wincent takes us on a journey through his own Internet addiction, and gives us valuable tips to avoid becoming digital zombies.

 

VIDEOS – AWESOME ADVICE FOR STUDYING AND REDUCING PRE-TEST ANXIETY

NINE BEST SCIENTIFIC STUDY TIPS | Asap Science
Totally awesome, super helpful and not at all unreasonable study tips.  Picking just a few would help a lot!

SEVEN EXAM ANXIETY TIPS | Asap thought
A bit goofy, but offers really great science-based advice for staying calm and reducing anxiety before exams.

HOW TO STUDY BETTER | Brain Athlete Ron White, memory and brain training expert
Cool guy offers great advice on how to prepare for, and study better. Chew gum, visualize, focus, keywords, etc.  It’s never too late!

HOW TO MEMORIZE FAST AND EASILY | Brain Athlete Ron White, memory and brain training expert
Quirky but plausible.  Learn all about the Mind Palace technique. Sherlock Holmes used the Mind Palace in his stories. It is also referred to as the Memory Palace. Whether you call it the Mind Palace or the Memory Palace it is one of the most trusted memory techniques of top memory experts around the world. Although it was referenced in Sherlock Holmes books it actually dates back as far as 2500 years ago. But will it work for you?

UNDER PRESSURE | Mindfulness in Schools – for Teens | 2bpresent
Teens today need mindfulness more than ever to cope with the increasing demands they face each day. Mindfulness is something we can all use, from athletes to actors, adults, teens, and children, to be our best selves – to be calm, resilient, strong and wise!  Meditate like Lebron James, Will Smith, Ellen Degeneres, Michael Jordan, Kendrick Lamar, Steve Jobs, Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, Rupert Murdoch, Hugh Jackman.

5 MINUTE MEDITATION – Grounding into Presence, Relaxation, Stress Relief, Focus, Mindfulness | 2bpresent
This is a great meditation to help middle and high school students settle into the classroom by grounding their attention inward to help them prepare their bodies and minds for learning. Techniques to use at home, or anywhere, when you want to relax and calm yourself.  Great way to relax before bed.

MEDITATION 2 – Quieting Your Busy Mind, Stress Relief, Relaxation, Mindfulness | 2bpresent
This meditation will help middle school and high school students recognize the busyness of their minds. Through this meditation, they can learn to recognize thoughts as just thoughts and learn to let go of unhelpful thoughts, quiet their minds, and relax their bodies. They can also learn the important skill of placing positive thoughts in their minds to help them do their best.

RELAX – A 5 Minute Guided Meditation for Deep Relaxation and Stress Relief | 2bpresent
This 5 minute Guided Meditation is perfect for relieving stress, letting go of tension and finding a few minutes of deep relaxation during your busy day.

 

ONLINE AND CLINICAL RESOURCE – HEALTH AND WELLNESS
THE FOUNDRY
.  BCN partners with the good people at The Foundry.  They offer young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports online and through integrated service centres in seven communities across BC – including Abbotsford, North Shore, Campbell River, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver-Granville, and Victoria.  Coming soon to Penticton, Richmond, Ridge Meadows, and Terrace.Dr. Steve Mathias, who founded the Foundry, is a BCN mentor and knows all about adolescent boys.  His colleagues do too, so don’t hesitate to reach out online or speak with your school counsellor or BCN chapter leader about how to access Foundry services.

The BC Mental Health Crisis Line listed on the Foundry website is 1.800.784.2433

 

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Channel your Chill with 'Calmsound' nature sounds - listen for free online. Channel Ocean Sounds, Thunderstorm, Rainforest, Rainsounds, Country Garden, or Spirit of Nature. Just push play, sit back and relax. Huge thanks to Calmsound.

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Calm your and your body. Learn tactical breathing, box breathing, and other techniques, courtesy of SealFit

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Need a Fullbody Bodyweight Workout? Mentor recommended workouts for when you can't get outside to play.

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