As the academic year draws to a close, the air at our sites is filled with the mixed emotions of final presentations, exams, and the approaching finish line of graduation. But before our students walk across that stage, they have to walk through the woods.
Trek is a five-day wilderness immersion that serves as a final “test” of everything learned throughout the year. Abby H., a student at our Pleasant View site, recently provided a vivid look into what life on the trail actually looks like—and why the most difficult moments are often the most meaningful.
The Weight of the Journey
The journey began with the literal weight of preparation. For Abby, that meant a 55-pound pack and the immediate realization that “if I moved backwards too far, I would fall right over.” The first day is often a collision of high emotions and physical reality.
From the very first mile, the wilderness began its work of “honing.” After a wrong turn as the day’s scout and a dinner mishap that resulted in “spam water” (affectionately dubbed “spotlick” after adding hot chocolate powder), the lesson was clear: Contentment is a choice. Whether it’s rain during bear-bagging or soggy gear, leadership starts with finding joy in the middle of the uncomfortable.
Where Your Feet Are
One of the most profound shifts on Trek happened on Sunday night. Sitting around a campfire, the group realized their conversations had become entirely focused on the future: the beds they missed, the food they craved, and the vans that would eventually take them home.
Their leader, Anna, challenged them with a powerful thought: Stay where your feet are. In a season like graduation, where the “What’s Next?” feels overwhelming, learning to be present in the current moment is a vital skill. The group agreed to stop “future talking” and instead lean into the beauty of the waterfalls, the difficulty of the miles, and the gift of the people standing right next to them.
The Illusion of Control
On Monday, Abby served as the “Leader of the Day.” Despite her best efforts to delegate and encourage, the day was full of “beautiful disasters.” A celebratory “Thanksgiving dinner” turned into burnt potatoes and stuffing that could only be described as “goop and sludge.” Then came the torrential downpour.
“One lesson I learned was that even when I’m in a leadership position, I am still not in control,” Abby reflected. Mistakes and unpredictable weather serve as a humbling reminder that while we can plan our steps, God is the one in control. This realization doesn’t diminish a leader’s role; it reorients it toward a posture of dependence.
The Impact of Community
Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the Old Logger’s Path was the necessity of the “Body.” Abby admits that as a non-outdoorsy person, she likely would have quit if she were alone. But she wasn’t. She had a group depending on her and encouraging her.
Through five days of no deodorant, sore muscles, and shared laughter over “monkeys” screaming in the night (likely owls!), the group moved from being mere classmates to a bonded community. They learned that a group’s mindset is contagious—and that a community centered on Christ can turn a grueling hike into a sweet memory.
Ready for the Next Trail
As Abby and her peers return to the cushions of “normal life,” they aren’t the same people who left the trailhead five days prior. They return with hearts that marvel at creation, spirits that depend more on God, and a deeper appreciation for the things we often take for granted.
Trek may be over, but the lessons of the trail are just beginning to bear fruit as these students prepare to launch into the world. Congratulations to all of our students for surviving, thriving, and “soaring” through the wilderness!