Exploring Nature

Many of our campers have lived in the High Country their entire lives and have never experienced any of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s overlooks. One day for Summer Programming, we decided to hike three different locations on the parkway that involved different levels of terrain.
First, we started at Thunder Hill Outlook and breathed in the mountain air while having alone time to process the beauty it has to offer. The kids were amazed at the size of the mountains and were ecstatic. Some kids mentioned that it was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen! We continued down the parkway to Beacon Heights, and as we stopped along the trail to climb on trees and rocks, the kids mentioned that they could live here for a week! 
The campers acknowledged the smell of the trees and flowers while admiring the cool mountain air. As we reached the top of the mountain, the kids explored and had time to reflect in their quiet place on the mountain. We debriefed after a few minutes and the kids shared how lucky they were to be involved with WYN and to be able to see these beautiful mountain tops. 
One camper expressed how grateful she was for even being able to have eye sight to witness these views, while another camper said he loved the quiet because he was finally able to focus in his mind. 
The kids really started to be energized so we needed to refuel with something a little more challenging. We made our way back down to the vans and headed towards Flat Rock Trail. As we started the ascent, the campers' negativity also started because they couldn’t see the top. We reassured them that we would make it, and when we finally did, all of their attitudes changed! 
At the top, smiles didn’t leave the kids' faces, they were in shock and awe. The kids asked if they could scream into the mountains and we agreed as long as they only shouted positive things. Suddenly, every kid screamed to the top of their lungs, “WYN IS AWESOME!” “I LOVE SUMMER CAMP!” “NATURE IS MY BEST FRIEND!” “I LOVE THIS PLACE!”  

After connecting to their emotions, we ate lunch and admired the view of Grandfather Mountain until it began to rain. Immediately we gathered our stuff and scurried down the trail. As the rain hit the kids' faces, they began to shout and laugh with happiness. 
Once we made it to the vans, one camper decided to stand at the bottom of the trail. He threw his hands up and said, “this is has been the best day of my life.” When asked why he felt that way, he explained to that he has never felt this alive and that he wants to be on the parkway with his friends in the rain every day for the rest his life.
The beauty around us is inspiring and often we move too fast to truly absorb all that it has to offer. Once in a while we all need reminders to take a moment and see things like it's the first time. Perhaps we let the rain fall on our faces and scream from the mountaintops. 

 

 

Generosity at Summer Camp

WYN’s summer programming is in full swing, every available slot is filled and new adventures are occurring each day.  Our campers are so excited for an opportunity to do activities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.  They get to climb an Alpine tower, ride the Virginia Creeper, tube the New River and hike mountain tops.  All of these activities are possible because of our generous donors.  Especially, donors like Sandi Solomon who took all of our youth to attend Lees McRae’s performance of “Mary Poppins.”  Our youth, including the ones that do not normally enjoy theater were grateful of this opportunity and even commented on the quality of the production.  In addition, to the events offered to our youth because of donor support, we are able to go on numerous adventures because donor funds contributed to the purchase of a new van.  This van is a source of pride for our youth, they have coined it the “Spaceship” and fret over who is going to ride in it each day.  The Spaceship is getting our WYN campers safely from place to place and we could not be more thankful!

 Summer Campers with Sandi Solomon and Mary Poppins!

 Youth hanging out with the "Spaceship!"

Summer camp has become a place of refuge for many of our summer campers to escape the hardships that they face at home.  Currently, one of our success stories comes from a young lady who was afraid to come to summer camp.  WYN understood the importance of her attendance because if she had to stay at home she would spend most of her days just sitting around, unable to go many places or do many things because both of her parents are battling separate illnesses.  After missing most of the first week of camp, our staff reached out to find out what they could do to get her to camp.  One staff member spoke to her and found out that she was shy and worried about swimming in river water.  The next day that staffer picked her up and took her to camp and talk about everything that she was fearful of.  Once at camp she was introduced to other youth, staff members, interns, and volunteers.  She was welcomed and put at ease by everyone at WYN!  Now she is in her 3^rd week of camp and she despises when it’s the weekend because she loves camp so much.   She says that camp “brightens up her day, ” and she no longer worries about swimming in rivers! 

 Summer campers tubing and included in this picture is our camper who was afraid of river water!