What a Visit
Kevin Williams
Waking
up this morning I was excited to visit Red Cliff Ascent with former ECOEE
member Kelly Bauer. This place is a therapeutic program for at risk youth that
ranges from drug use to gang activity. We picked up Kelly from her house in
Cedar City and drove an hour to enterprise, Utah where we met two of Kelly’s
colleagues. There we talked with them and asked them questions about the
program. After that we drove another hour to Red Cliff Ascent’s base camp
called outpost. There we were able to meet a group of at risk youth and were
able to talk to them about why they were there and how their experiences there
were. Gaining a deeper insight by talking to the participants we were on our
way to go spend a night as they did at Red Cliff Ascent. Going down a gravel,
bumpy, dusty road, BAM! We were hit by our other van. Everyone in my van was
ok, but I looked in the rearview mirror and the ECOEE minivan was dented in and
smoking. I hopped out to find everyone was out of the minivan being taken care
of by trained WFRs we had on our course. Emily and Shane were sent to the
hospital to get a better diagnosis by the doctor, which ended up with Emily
getting 4 staples on the top of her head. While all the hospital stuff was
going on, the rest of the group went with Kelly to dig a fire hole, set up a
sleeping and camp area, collect firewood, and carve our own spoons. Waiting for
the rest of the group to get back I sat around the fire reflecting on how well
the group responded to help one another right after the incident; the WFRs
instantly went into their modes from what they were taught, while other group
members assisted in any way possible, listening to directions that were given.
Overall today was unexpected, confusing, and a little scary for most; yet
everyone handled things well and worked as a team better than ever before. It
was a very unfortunate day that ended with everyone safe and warm eating dinner
with one another. I can say everyone was extremely grateful that no one got
seriously injured and we can keep on keepin on with our expedition. Every experience out here is teaching
us more and allowing us to grow stronger as human beings.
No comments:
Post a Comment