I was lucky enough to get to participate in a one-day-a week program as a child (we moved to the state too late for me to get into the full-time program), and I can honestly say it pretty much saved me. I was shy, shy, shy, and a little socially awkward. Being an athlete saved me socially, but in terms of friends and a supportive learning environment, that one-day-a week challenge program paid off well. I learned to deal with the change in schools. Plus, twenty years later, I still have some of the same friends I met back then.