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Students Experience the Great Outdoors on a Venturing Trip to Yellowstone

In September, two groups of graduate students from Turning Winds Academic Institute were given the opportunity to travel to one of the most beautiful places in the country, Yellowstone National Park.  The trip began for a group of nine young men ready to experience the great outdoors on September 17th at Lone Star Geyser trailhead.  Carrying all they needed for the week in their packs, the group set out on their journey through the wilderness.  Crossing through rivers ranging anywhere from calf to thigh deep, these young men dig deep within to "step outside their comfort zone and push ourselves both mentally and physically."  Nick M. shared, "Each day we had a point on the trail that we had to reach.  On some days we were very sore and tired, but we just kept moving.  We all learned a lot about what we were capable of."  Hiking a total of 30 miles in 7 days, these young men proved to themselves that with hard work and perseverance you can reach your goals.  Their trip concluded at Bechler Ranger Station on September 23rd as the young ladies journey began. 

The seven young ladies of Turning Winds Academic Institute set out on their adventure through Yellowstone National Park on September 23rd.  For six days they hiked twenty seven miles through the Bechler region of Yellowstone.  Venturing Director, Elizabeth Bailey, commented on the tremendous amount of emotional growth the girls experiences on the trip.  "One of the young women struggled throughout the entire trip and the others really came to rally with her and encourage her.  Through this encouragement the other young women felt their own power and purpose as well." When sharing about the trip, one student commented, "I would do it all again...blisters and all."  Elizabeth replied, "Blisters are nothing, when you get to be out there!"                          

"During my trip to Yellowstone, I felt like I gained many things emotionally.  The experience itself impacted me in several ways.  I never have been much of a leader.  I always was, or chose to be second in command, or be a follower.  I didn't truly understand the leadership role.  But while in Yellowstone, I started to show more leadership qualities that I had inside of me.  I just needed a way to show them.  Each day, I wanted to be in the front of the "hiking line".  I wanted to help guide everyone along the path.  I also encouraged others to do their best.  One of the girls did not like that because I just kept pushing her to try harder.  I knew she could do it so I continued to encourage and challenge her to keep going. 

I also gained many relationships with the other girls.  I never felt that I was really close to them, sort of just kept to myself.  But each day, I grew to know each one more and more.  We all made memories that will last us a lifetime.  I think my favorite time was when we would sit around the campfire after dinner and have small group.  There were different topics each night that everyone would share.  I also appreciate these girls more than ever.   I grew to have a lot more respect for each one of them.  

My ultimate favorite part of the trip was experiencing the waterfalls.  Sitting and listening to the roar of these huge falls, I felt peaceful within myself.  I had that feeling that everything was going to be okay.  And I realized that no matter what happens, life will still go on.  Those waterfalls will still keep roaring with power, even if I have a bad day.  It was powerful within me.  I enjoyed it very much!"  ~Beth G.

Experiencing the peace and beauty of the great outdoors and taking the time to bask in the simplicity of it all opens your mind to the beauty within each and every human being.  Challenging yourself beyond the ordinary to find that something extraordinary lies within.  These are the moments that stay with you forever.  "If I can accomplish a week in the back country with everything I need on my back...I feel like I can do anything!"

Former Student of Turning Winds Academic Institute Earns His Eagle Scout

"My name is Josh and I was a resident at Turning Winds Academic Institute from June 2010 to June 2011.  I arrived at the school with several goals in mind, but one was to complete an Eagle Project for the Boys Scouts of America.  In early October, after establishing a good amount of trust, I met with John Baisden Sr. and started planning my project. I decided to build five heavy- duty picnic tables and ten separate benches for the school.  Throughout the following months, I would work to organize an adult supervisor and crew of boys from the school to go and do the work.  A member of the community offered the use of the shop at his home to do the project.  I completed my project in the first week of June.  On September 21, 2011, I had my Eagle Board of Review and passed.  I would like to thank my parents, friends at Turning Winds, and the staff (especially John Sr.) for all of their help and support.  I am now an Eagle Scout!" 

Many Thanks,

Josh

The Eagle Scout is the highest honor achieved by a Boy Scout.  The process requires hard work, commitment, and dedication.  According to the Boy Scouts of America website, only 5% of all Boy Scouts received the Eagle Scout in 2010.  It requires years of hard work, dedication and leadership in the Scouting organization. The following is a list of requirements for the Eagle  Scout taken from the BSA site (http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/EagleScouts.aspx):

• To earn the rank, a Boy Scout must:
  • Progress through the ranks in the following order:
    • Tenderfoot
    • Second Class
    • First Class
    • Star
    • Life
    • Eagle
  • Earn 21 merit badges, including:
    • First Aid
    • Citizenship in the Community
    • Citizenship in the Nation
    • Citizenship in the World
    • Communications
    • Environmental Science
    • Personal Fitness
    • Camping
    • Family Life
    • Personal Management
    • Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving
    • Cycling, Hiking, or Swimming
    • Serve six months in a troop leadership position.
    • Plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for any religious organization or any school or community.
    • Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
    • Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

The crowning achievement while earning the Eagle Scout award is the Eagle Scout service project.  These projects must be designed, organized and led by the individual Scout.  They then must pass the strict guidelines for service projects as outlined by the local Scout Board.  For the service project requirement to become an Eagle Scout, Josh chose to serve his community by building five picnic tables and ten benches for Turning Winds Academic Institute.  Josh was able to get the proper approval for his project while attending Turning Winds Academic Institute. Another aspect of Eagle Scout projects is that all materials used should be donated or purchased with donated funds, which Josh was able to organize for his project.  Josh provided the leadership for the group of Venturing Scouts, adult volunteers, and adult leaders to help with the project.  Each member of the group received safety training as well as instructions for each power tool used on the job.  When the project was complete, the remaining donated funds were used to purchase a Montana State flag for the school. 

Once the project was completed, Josh put together a portfolio to submit to the Eagle Scout Review Board.  Included were designs of the table, a project plan, and copies of the letters sent out to request donations and copies of his thank you letters.  In addition to all of the details of his project were recommendation letters written by several staff at Turning Winds Academic Institute.  Here is an excerpt from a letter by Janet Hanson, Academic Director at Turning Winds Academic Institute, "He does not settle for mediocrity but continually searches for ways to improve. Outside of the classroom Josh continues to expect much of himself.  He is a patient leader who directs little unnecessary attention to himself, but models excellence confidently by example.  Josh makes friends easily and quickly earns the trust of all those around him.  It is a pleasure to know Josh."

Josh's accomplishment is a living testimony to the fact that with hard work and dedication goals can be met.  All of us here at Turning Winds Academic Institute would like to say,

"Congratulations Josh!  Job well done.  Keep up the good work. Continue to challenge yourself and set goals you will reach infinite heights.”

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein 

On March 10, 2011, eleven students and two staff members from Turning Winds Academic Institute set out on a seven day super trip to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.  For many of the students this was their first experience out of the city submerged into pure nature. The adventure began with a jet boat ride to Granite Creek.  From there the students strapped on their back packs and began their journey.   

Over the next seven days of this adventure, the students hiked a total of 26.6 miles.  Their daily hiking average was 6 miles per day with the longest day totaling 11 miles.  The students and staff camped each evening in individual tents, cooked their own meals, and learned how to start a fire.  Students also learned how to hang their food to prevent it being eaten by animals.

For Elizabeth Bailey, Venturing Director at Turning Winds Academic Institute, one of the most incredible moments was watching the amazement in the students faces when they experienced true nature for the first time in their lives.  Several students commented that the first evening when they experienced a true star lit sky was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Josh, a Turning Winds Academic Institute student said, “My Hells Canyon experience was awesome!  It was great to be in the middle of nowhere.  I loved listening and only hearing the sound of the wind in the grass and the soothing sound of the Snake River flowing downhill.  I reflected on how I affect nature.  I realize that I influence a lot more than I think I do.  It was great to be outdoors for awhile." 

Often students are filled with anxiety and worry of the unknown, but their confidence in themselves grows throughout these backpacking trips.  By the end of the experience they are confident in what they can accomplish individually and as a team.  Ian, another student at the institute said of his experience, "Hells Canyon was the most beautiful backpacking trip I've ever been on.  I love the way being completely separated from civilization for a few days feels.  It's like nothing else.  A combination of beauty and solitude together developed a completely unique feeling that I've never felt before." 

"RENEW their belief in their own potential".  An opportunity like this trip to Hells Canyon allows students to not only experience the great outdoors and develop a new appreciation for true nature, but it also presents an opportunity for them to discover and develop their own self-confidence; allowing students to realize for themselves the pure beauty of earth as well as uncover potential they did not know they had.  Furthermore, it creates memories and life skills that the students will use the rest of their lives. 

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."  ~Chinese Proverb

On the morning of February 26, 2011 four students from Turning Winds Academic Institute attended the 32nd Snow Joke Half Marathon in Seeley Lake, Montana.  The course is one lap around the Seeley Lake on plowed roads with caution from race organizers of  "ice patches".  Total distance of the race is 13.1 miles.  These four young men trained for six months in extreme weather conditions.  Enduring very cold temperatures and heavy snowfall they remained focused on their goal.  Below is an account from one of the students on how it all began:

"If you were to drive on a Monday afternoon down South Fork Road in Yaak, Montana; you might witness the sight of four teenagers maintaining a steady pace though the crisp, cool mountain air surrounded by the serenity inducing scenery.  Alex B., Alex A., Phil V. and Hunayf P. are all from various places throughout the USA.  During our stay at Turning Winds Academic Institute we discovered we all shared a passion for running.  Using this shared drive a dream was born.  Through dedication, support, and sheer will power the once obscure thought of running a marathon was turned into reality.  Not to say it was easy, but together united along with the highly supportive staff members and administration of Turning Winds Academic Institute we overcame the odds and proved that "if there is a why, there is always a how!" 

On February 26th, "we were finally granted a chance to put our efforts to the test at the 32nd Snow Joke Half Marathon in Seeley Lake, Montana.  Everything we went through taught us never to give up, fall in love with running, and build everlasting relationships.  Upon the completion of the marathon we were on the top of the world with our lives in our hands to control.  No distance is too far, no mountain is too high when you pour your heart and soul into it...Especially with your friends."

Another student recalls the race:  "The pre-race speech was made, the gun fired and we were off.  The first six miles were a little slow to start, but we were starting to stretch our legs as the pack spread out.  My partner and I gave it all we had in the last seven miles, running as hard as we could.  I remember the last two miles were brutal because we were so tired.  We crossed the finish line at 1:51:59, exhausted but relieved to be done.  We finished 69th and 70th out of 400+ runners.  That was pretty sweet for us."

The accomplishment of these students is a clear indicator that with passion, hard work, and determination goals can be achieved.  Persevering in the middle of a grueling Montana winter, all four boys proved to themselves and everyone around them that anything is possible when you remain dedicated and focused on your goal.  Following the Turning Winds Academic Institute mission statement of success, these four students truly “RENEWed their belief in their own potential”, as well as inspired fellow students to extend and set goals for themselves.