SELF-DISCOVERY 101
A Six Week Program for 18 to 24 year olds
This intensive six week self-discovery course is designed to
provide students the opportunity to gain the basic life skills necessary to
meet the challenges presented by college, employment, and personal
relationships. Our "classroom" is outdoors. We believe the power and
authenticity of the natural world provide an unsurpassed environment within
which personal growth may be achieved. Nowhere in today's society are the
essential lessons for life more real than in nature.
At Midnight Mountain, we assist students to identify their personal
strengths and recognize the areas in which they need to grow. By creating an
emotionally and physically safe community, students gain the vital and
necessary self confidence to meet the challenges that our outdoor "classroom"
environments present on a daily basis. Our trainers are highly skilled in
helping students understand how the powerful lessons learned in mountains or
on rivers can be transferred to their everyday life. In the same way a student
meets and overcomes the obstacle of an unexpected storm, resolves a conflict
with a group member, or conquers a personal fear, so too can that student meet
the challenge of a difficult college class, resist the destructive
distractions of the modern world, and tap into their inner strength and wisdom
while making healthy and intelligent choices for themselves.
In a society that often shelters young people from the need to contribute
in a responsible manner, it is imperative that they are given the opportunity
to develop the self-worth that comes from giving the best they have to offer.
To develop the personal integrity and essential life skills that will serve as
a "compass" for their journey into responsible adulthood. This is the essence
of true self-discovery and what students will be challenged with
achieving during Midnight Mountain's Adventure Semester.
The
Adventure Semester is specifically designed for young
people who are struggling to reach adulthood and are challenged
by:
Midnight Mountain's
Adventure Semester utilizes outdoor activities as the context in
which to teach and promote vital life skills and values.
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Verbal communication
Goal-setting
Leadership
Problem-solving
Conflict-resolution |
Honesty
Integrity
Responsibility
Accountability
Holistic health |
Each outdoor activity included in Midnight Mountain's
Adventure Semester was chosen
purposefully -- to maximize learning opportunities.
SUMMER and FALL SEMESTER
Team building and ropes course - Students participate in activities
designed to establish the "community" in which they will be active members for
the next 6 weeks. With staff assistance, students begin to make an honest
assessment of their own personal strengths and weaknesses and to develop
physical and emotional safety guidelines within which the group will meet the
challenges of the upcoming adventures.
Backpacking and trekking - Trips will be in the beautiful and
unspoiled surrounding mountains of northeastern Washington. Students will
learn hiking and camping skills, including shelter considerations, cooking
techniques, route finding and map and compass use. Students and staff will
work together to plan and prepare for trips. Students learn to accept
responsibility, plan ahead, set goals, consider each group member, and prepare
wisely. They will need to dig deep and access their strength and determination
to meet the goals that were set before starting out.
Canoe journey - Students will paddle and camp the beautiful north
Columbia River as they learn canoe skills, river camping techniques,
environmental considerations, and the Native American history of the area.
Students will need to focus on effective communication, teamwork, empathy for
others, flexibility, and, again, will need to dig deep to access their inner
strength and determination to reach the "distant" goal.
Mountain
Biking - Students ride the back roads of the surrounding
mountains and forests with vehicle assisted camping. They learn safe riding
techniques, bicycle repair and maintenance skills, and route planning.
Students will need to focus on appropriate and inappropriate risks, problem
solving, effective communication, paying attention, and, of course, will need
to dig deep to access their personal strength and determination to complete
the journey.
Base Camp Activities -While in base camp, students participate in
all day to day activities, including meal preparations, camp clean-up, work
projects, preparations for the next expedition, writing assignments, and group
discussions.
WINTER SEMESTER
Team building and ropes course - Students participate in
activities designed to establish the "community" in which they will be active
members for the next six weeks. With staff assistance, students begin to make
an honest assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses and to develop
physical and emotional safety guidelines within which the group will meet the
challenges of the upcoming adventures.
Nordic skiing - Students learn skills for safe winter travel in the
mountains of northeastern Washington. They are coached in ski techniques for
both x-country and back country expeditions, learn safety considerations
concerning clothing, gear, equipment, route choice, avalanche avoidance and
map/compass/altimeter reading skills. They will need to focus on appropriate
risk taking, communication, preparedness, and stretching beyond their
preconceived limitations.
Snow shoeing - With some terrain and snow conditions, skiing becomes
impractical. Students will learn when to trade their skis for snowshoes,
thereby increasing their safety and efficiency of travel in nearly all winter
conditions.
Winter camping expeditions - Students will participate in a
multi-day winter back country trip utilizing skis and/or snowshoes to navigate
the wild and beautiful mountains of northeastern Washington. Students will
build and sleep in snow caves along their winter route.
SCHEDULE
Winter Adventure Semester:
January 4 through February 16
Tuition: $6,000.00
INSTRUCTORS
At Midnight Mountain we are very particular about our staff and
utilize only those with the highest level of ability and competence. Our staff
includes mental health counselors, certified teachers, and highly experienced
youth specialists. It is our mission to create an environment of trust and a
place of safety in which young adults can stretch beyond their preconceived
limitations and reach their full potential.
Please see our staff link for more specific
information.
