Middle School Youth Trip Recap
The amazing middle-schoolers and their guides reached the rapids this year on their fourth day of paddling the Flambeau last week. Each was excited to share that only a few of them swamped their canoes in the whitewater and that they are now ready for the Brule or the Apostle Islands trip.
As always, the group’s guides, Ryan, Zach and Brady, did a remarkable job of leading the kids through a swim and swamp test, teaching them to waterproof their gear, and packing five days’ worth of stuff into those timeless Duluth packs. Once on trail, the students learned to gather wood for campfires, retrieve water from the middle of the river for cooking and drinking, and set up their tents with precision to keep their gear clean and dry on the inside and keep those pesky bugs on the outside. The guides also started and ended each day with inspiring words from scripture, poetry and sacred stories. While those guides were strangers to Central’s campers on Sunday afternoon, they became teachers, protectors and trusted friends by the time everyone returned to camp on Thursday.
Because of the extreme smoke in and around camp, we made the decision to return Thursday night, so the kids missed their beach night under the stars. Each is anxious to return again next year for a new adventure on the water with the truly remarkable staff at Amnicon.
Many thanks to you dear church for supporting and encouraging the students from Central.
