By Collin Emmert (Program Manager)
In October, I led my first Trailblazers program. Trailblazers is four training sessions that lead up to an overnight camping trip specifically for high school students with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the four sessions, I learned a lot about the students and saw immense growth in their ability to work together. One student really emerged as a leader. This student was social and well-liked by his peers. On the morning of the overnight, I paired up the students to set-up tents. After this student’s tent was set up, he immediately started to help other students. He even came up to me to see if I needed help!
When all the tents were set up, it was time to venture to Wolf Cave. All the students grabbed their flashlights and we embarked on the hike up to the cave. Upon arrival, I briefed the group about the cave, what to expect, and then asked the students to lead so the adults could follow. As we began to enter the cave, I noticed not everyone had brought their flashlight. I encouraged students to follow someone with a flashlight and make sure to ask for help if they needed more light.
The helpful student I mentioned earlier, ended up leading a friend who was without a flashlight. As we proceeded through the cave safely, we eventually made it to the exit and slid out of the cave. It wasn’t until we were eating our smore’s that other students commended this student’s leadership. While enjoying smore’s, I facilitated an activity called Thorns and Roses. This debriefing exercise helps students process their highs and lows from their trip and learn how they can apply lessons from these challenges and successes when they go back home. Another student, began the activity with a reflection that made the trip. She stated, “My rose is having friends like Dave. Even though I was scared in the cave he kept talking to me and helping me when my flashlight died.”
Sometimes students do things that surprise us and we have the blessing of witnessing those moments. But often, peers recognize and affirm the best qualities in each other that we as facilitators miss. This student leader demonstrated kindness and selflessness to his friends and it did not go unnoticed. Sometimes we need guidance through the tough times just like this student guiding his friends through the cave. But sometimes we have the capacity to show up for our friends when they need us the most. Many valuable lessons can be learned through outdoor experiences.
