This fall, a group of high school students headed east for a weekend campout and climbing trip in Vantage, WA. The weather held, the views showed off, and something special happened, not just on the rock, but around the campfire, in quiet moments, and in conversations that lingered long after the weekend ended.
Here are five small stories from one rad trip.
1. One Weekend, Many Brave Moments
Bravery showed up in a lot of ways that weekend.
Some students climbed high, working through shaky legs and racing thoughts. Brandon talked about the inner monologue he had on the wall: “I just gotta suck it up. I just gotta suck it up.” And then he kept going.
Jackie was clear that heights scared her. She still wanted to try. When it was her turn, everyone gathered in, cheering her on as she climbed up and later came down. She didn’t have to be fearless to be brave. She just had to show up.
Eddy set up the rappel station, and even students who didn’t plan on climbing decided to give it a try. One by one, everyone stepped into something a little uncomfortable and discovered they could do more than they thought.
2. From Strangers to Tentmates
A lot of students came to this campout only knowing a few people, often just from their own school. By the end of the weekend, those lines didn’t matter much anymore.
During one conversation, Camila looked at Brandon and said, “We didn’t know each other before this trip. But now we’re friends, right?” He laughed and agreed.
That night, five boys shared a tent and couldn’t stop giggling. In the morning, the stories came out: who snored, who talked in their sleep, and who tried (unsuccessfully) to get everyone to settle down.
Games like sardines and spy brought out everyone’s silly side. Overall, the group felt so cohesive, playful, and connected!
3. The Quiet Moments Were the Loudest
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend wasn’t loud or busy at all.
It was sitting in silence.
Chairs pulled up to the edge of the river. Eyes on the horizon. The group didn’t need to talk or do anything. They just sat. Together.
In a world that constantly asks young people to perform, decide, and react, this space to simply be mattered. The quiet wasn’t awkward. It was grounding. It was shared.
Those moments stay with people long after the climbing ropes are packed away.
5. Volunteers Who Showed Up Fully
A huge part of what made the weekend special was the people who showed up for the students.
Volunteers Westy and Rebecca were MVPs. Neither of them works with young people professionally, but that doesn’t matter. They were present, passionate, and genuinely curious about getting to know the students.
They climbed alongside them. They sat and talked. They listened.
The students noticed. They connected. The energy was mutual and warm, and it made the whole group stronger.
Roses, Buds, and More Time Outside Together
At the end of the weekend, during reflections, students shared their roses and buds. The rose was clear: climbing and rappelling were a hit. The bud? More trips. Longer trips. As Guled put it, “as long of a camping trip as possible.”
