Work Wilderness Program

In June of 2005 the Life Skills Specialist, along with two of our Life Skills youth, participated in the two week Work Wilderness program. They traveled to Maine to gather with 15 other Casey youth. The trip focused on assisting youth to develop interpersonal strength, leadership skills and teamwork.

Their first week of the program began with an early morning wake-up, stretching and a three-mile hike to their work site for a full a day of cutting trees to create water barges. After working all day, they returned to the camp to complete chores which included pumping drinking water, cooking meals, collecting firewood and participating in team-building activities. The evening ended with a debriefing of the day.

The girls endured the stormy weather, high heat conditions and rugged terrain. This trip helped them to recognize their own inner strengths, survival abilities, techniques and appreciation for our environment. This experience also helped them increase their confidence and develop a deeper self-awareness and determination to succeed.

During the second half of the trip, the girls canoed six to eight miles each day for five days to a new camp site. During their canoe travels they discovered wild birds and animals in their natural habitants. They were able to see moose, deer, chipmunks, fish and beautiful cascading mountains. They volunteered with the Maine Rangers to build a tent platform out of logs and sand. This gave them a sense of pride to know that they were giving back to nature and providing a safe camping area for future campers.

Ironically, the last day of the trip was the 4th of July, Independence Day, and the girls spent the day reflecting on their wilderness experience, personal gains, their team struggles and achievements. They concluded their last evening under the moon on a hilltop watching the fireworks of a nearby village.