Hello all,

I want to share an experience I had earlier this week with the Chinook West Alternative High School students.  Chinook West is a partnership between Boulder Valley School District and TEENS, Inc. that gives mountain area youth an education option if the more traditional high school is not working for them.  Each year the students organize a school trip.  This years trip was to Havasupai Canyon, a tributary to the Grand Canyon inhabited by the Havasupai Tribe.  The students spent two months prior to the trip fundraising, organizing gear, meal planning and studying the Natural and Cultural History of the area.  On Monday, April 24^th, the students put their packs on their backs and hiked 11 miles into Havasupai Canyon where they participated in a traditional sweat and service project, cooked all their meals, and studied the geology and Native American History.  Five days later these students, many who have never camped before, put their packs back on and hiked 11 miles up and out of the canyon.

I wanted to take some time with the students Wednesday morning to hear about their experience.  After gathering in a circle, I asked the students the following simple question.  What was a highlight, challenge and learning or revelation that you experienced on the trip?  The sweat lodge and water falls, the physical challenge, getting along with everyone, the beauty and getting to know each other a bit better were all things I heard today but I want to share a few more specific answers with you.

--    One student, an ex gang member from Los Angeles who is attending anger management classes, said, “a challenge for me was not snapping but I did not snap once the entire time in the canyon.”

--      Another student said, “it really isn’t so hard where I am.  I don’t know why I have not been doing my school work.  I can do it.”

--    Two students said, “you don’t appreciate what you have until you don’t have it.”

--     Three students said they have never been so challenged and the highlight for them was, “finishing that last mile on the hike out.”

--      The last student to talk simply said, “I learned about life.”

     This is what TEENS, Inc. is all about.  We help to facilitate this type of learning, we support youth through the challenges, we celebrate the successes, we get to know everyone a bit better.  Our three goals are to:

~ Increase levels of self worth, self respect and community involvement among youth 

~ Decrease drug use and juvenile crime among teens in the Peak to Peak region

~ Inspire teens to make healthy choices and realize their full potential

We can’t do this alone.  TEENS, Inc. and the youth we serve need you to make a donation to ensure that we are able to continue to transition youth through adolescence with education, employment, recreation and leadership opportunities.  Our facility is being used by 20% more teens since September 2005, over 520 per year.  Your financial support will ensure that we are able to offer a free and safe space for teens to get their first job, play pool with a friend, continue their quest for a diploma through Chinook West, learn how to manage stress or confide in a caring adult.  Please send your tax-deductible contribution today payable to TEENS, Inc.

With sincere thanks,

Stephen LeFaiver

Executive Director