Over the past week, we have sent over 40 Explorers and 9 mentors on their Summer Wilderness Trips. One class has already returned from sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands (off the coast of Washington State) and two others are in Colorado as we speak (one rafting down the Arkansas river, the other at in the Tarryall Mountains fishing, hiking, rock climbing, etc). Our last class leaves this Saturday for a week of backcountry mountain biking in Colorado, as well.
Watching the kids pack their gear, hug their parents good-bye, and leave for the airport reminded me of a horse entering the gates at the Kentucky Derby. The built-up energy, the excitement, the anticipation, and the nervousness were everywhere. Some Explorers entered the gate with ease. Others had to be “coaxed” in by parents and mentors (nervous about being away from home for the first time). Still others had to be held back from breaking out of the gate early!
I have no doubt that when those gates (ie… the plane doors) finally opened; our Explorers hit their stride almost immediately. Some probably sprinted to the front, some were content in the middle of the pack, and others were holding at the back waiting to make their move. All the while, our mentors were steering them in the right direction. We’ve had reports from our guides that have included words like enthusiasm, encouragement, camaraderie, responsibility, and, of course, FUN. I wish I could be there to watch them in action, see them round the corner towards the finish, and join them in the winner’s circle. I know that the experiences they will have, the lessons they will learn, and the challenges they will face, will make them better leaders. I know that the friends they will make, the examples they will see, and the knowledge they will gain, will make them better people.
Our mentors will return with proverbial “mud on their goggles”, having coaxed our Explorers through the “pack”. The mentors will be physically tired, emotionally exhausted, and completely exhilarated all at once. They will be proud to have been a part of the journey, but completely wiling to stand aside and let the Explores wear their “blankets of roses” in the “winner’s circle”. They will know deep down that without their participation, the experience would not have been the same, but will be content in watching our Explorers bask individually in the spotlight of “victory lane”.
I look forward to seeing all of them “back at the barn” and watching the “tale of the tape” upon their return!
Onward,
Todd