![]() There are days I remember and days I forget. The ones I remember most involve doing something fun, something out of the ordinary, and where I also learned about myself through the connection to others. Tandem Skydiving in Door County, zip lining in Mexico, rappelling, black water rafting and bungee jumping in New Zealand, and kayaking in 4 foot swells on Lake Michigan are days that stick out for me as memorable moments. The anxious stomach before it all, the present moment awareness for each adventure, the gratitude I felt afterwards, the relationships built between me and the ones I was with, the connections made to new places and new people along for the ride. These are great memories of movement and fun in nature's beautiful playground that I wouldn't trade for the world. They taught me about who I am and who I want to strive to become. These experiences have inspired me to spend my time this summer introducing Madison's teens to exciting opportunities that will surely push the boundary of what they think they are capable of. They will gain confidence, build friendships and most of all, they will make lasting memories of joy. Along the way, they will learn healthy ways to take care of themselves, successful strategies to positively lead and influence a group of peers, as well as ways to positively affect the environment in which we live. Our Beginnings in Leadership week will test camper's physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. All participants will explore the teachings of mindfulness and yoga to enhance their understanding of what it truly means to be strong inside and outside of the body. They'll have to problem-solve, cooperate and take healthy risks with like-minded peers. They'll explore Madison through hiking, tree climbing, kayaking, slack-lining, nature connection and prepare for an overnight adventure at Devil's Lake State Park where the opportunities get a little more intense. Here, youth will learn intermediate kayaking skills, knot-tying, belaying techniques, rock climbing on real rock face and go through a fire rite of passage ceremony. This is an awesome opportunity for youth already practicing leadership (oldest child, team sports, orchestra, band, choir, etc) in their life. It is also a beneficial experience for teens who need a boost in self-esteem and/or need to learn skills to build healthy relationships. These young leaders will walk away with more confidence and tools to use in everyday life, while having a BLAST doing it! Teens identifying as LGBTQ+ are highly encouraged to attend and would really benefit from the curriculum taught. For questions, email me (Moira) at [email protected]. Space is limited to 20 campers so register today! |
AuthorHi, Moira here. When I'm not playing with my dogs, listening to music, enjoying nature or being with my friends/family, I'm probably writing. Read these blogs for wellness opportunities we offer at Hike & Heal, ones I know that are awesome or just some tidbits about living a healthier life. Archives
December 2023
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