This is a three part series of stories from students from one of our backpacking trips this year.  As the title implies these are their own words.  I hope you enjoy reading of the impact of each of these students’ wilderness experience

My story is kinda like my favorite quote “difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations” and we had a lot of difficult pathways to see all the beautiful views and walked really hard to get here.  We also got trail names that was fun.

The best trip on earth and I learned so much about the wilderness.

Camptown has helped me to become a better person.  It has showed me that just because I am capable of doing something easily does not mean others can.  It has showed me that some people lead more quietly by helping others with making sure they don’t fall behind.  I’ve also learned that many of the experiences I’ve had, others have not and vice versa.  We all have different backgrounds and experiences, but can still work together.  I’ve learned that people you don’t talk to might have similar experiences to you.  Overall Camptown has helped to resolve differences, not discriminate, and how to be a better leader.  Overall Camptown is a great program.

My story was exciting.  I had walked 20 minutes by myself (solo time) and I felt good because I needed some time alone and it made me learn how to do stuff differently.  I hung out with a lot of teachers, and friends, my whole week was good.  When we went to the Angel Falls, it was fun.  We took pictures and the view was just amazing.

PART 2

These are stories from students from one of our backpacking trips this year.  As the title implies these are their own words.  I hope you enjoy reading of the impact of each of these students’ wilderness experience.

My Camptown was awesome! We saw a small bear and we also saw 2 snakes and it was scary. What I also liked was at night we got to tell how we feel. It was fun. I would love to do it again.

Throughout the experience I did a lot of things that were cool. Camping in the woods, boiling & purifying water, white water rafting, jumped off a rock, etc. One of the things I was worried about was the white water rafting because I am afraid of water and I got stuck under a boat, but after that I had a really good time. I enjoyed the way the guide would tell us the name of places and kept calm during the whole time that we were together. I was very grateful for the food. Overall this experience was great and led me to do a lot other things I was scared to do before and taught me many skills. I am very grateful for this trip.

One good part of my experience was when we got done with hiking the long walks and feeling so accomplished and good about yourself. Another thing is how close I got with the other girls. I talked and got along with girls I never thought I would.

On my Camptown trip it started off rough. We did things I never thought I could or would do. We walked a big hill which is very hard but we got to see horses at the top which I really enjoyed. After we walked another hill, and went to see the arches. I struggled and tripped a lot with a painful ankle, but it was worth it looking at the view on top.

PART 3

These stories are from students from one of our backpacking trips this year. As the title implies these are their own words. I hope you enjoy reading of the impact of each of these students’ wilderness experience.

My Camptown experience was pretty great and memorable.  A fourth of the time I was regretful because of the pain, but I kept pushing myself because I know it was going to get better.  It was hard, but I wouldn’t take it back even if I could.  I had a lot of fun and made some of the best memories of my life.

I thought that the first day was hard because we were not used to the bag.  The second day was the hardest because we had to do 10 miles so it was really physically challenging.  Also, I fell a lot.  The last day of hiking it was easy because all we had to do was go up two mountain which was easy.  The rafting was cool too!  Overall It was a great experience.

I had an amazing experience for this being by last year.  I appreciate my guides and not giving up on me.  I had a few challenges, but I had someone behind/front to help me fight through.  This trip guided me to keep fighting because the work and effort you put in will determine your outcome.

At first, I thought this trip was gong to be boring.  My thoughts instantly changed.  We did so many rare things that not many kids at other schools do.  I just think this camping experience helped me better myself as a student and most of all a leader.