CHALLENGER II -- WIND RIVERS WILDERNESS EXPEDITION
Sponsored by: United Church of God, an International Association
July 20-28, 2008
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
What Is Challenger II?
Challenger II is a leadership training program for young adults in God's Church. It is designed to take a small, select group of young adults (usually 12-15) who are serious about their commitment to God's truth and Church, and give them focused coaching in an outdoor setting. Each program revolves around a close mentoring dynamic with a small group of ministers and other adult leaders. The purpose is to provide both physical and spiritual training to teachable young adults who desire to grow in godly character, leadership skills and the ability to serve others.
Participants will learn practical outdoor/adventure knowledge and skills, as well as how to be better prepared for the future-in terms of both challenges and service opportunities. Both are on the horizon for a young adult in God's Church today. Prophecy shows that the Church of God will soon enter turbulent waters; its future pillars and leaders will need the skills and spiritual maturity to navigate through those waters.
This is one reason the various Challenger II programs are in a wilderness/challenge setting. Valuable lessons are learned about accepting challenges, discomfort and even Spartan living conditions in the outdoors. But it's not all a sacrifice of comforts. Each Challenger II program takes participants out of their normal, everyday lives and brings them into an inspiring setting, free from the distractions of the world, and teaches lessons drawn from the wilderness setting. Memories of a dramatic, positive experience help to cement other lessons imparted during the course of the experience.
A destination lake during the Wind Rivers Expedition
Why a Backpacking Expedition?
Backpacking is a positive activity that encompasses a set of disciplines useful throughout one's life. It provides a recreational way to keep fit, build relationships with family and friends, and maintain perspective. It is something anyone in reasonably good health can do, and it is a good incentive to get in shape to feel good while doing it! Backpacking encourages a more vigorous lifestyle in a society that is largely sedentary and flabby...physically and spiritually. God designed us to be active and engaged in vigorous activity to function at our best. Backpacking gets you into God's great creation and gives a sense of perspective that is difficult to parallel in today's complex world.
What Is the Wind Rivers Wilderness Expedition?
The Wind Rivers Wilderness is in northwest Wyoming, southeast of the Tetons. It is a spectacular section of the Rocky Mountain range with many mountains (48 peaks are over 12,500 feet elevation) and over 2,000 lakes. It is actually made up of four wilderness areas totaling nearly 1 million acres. Our expedition will be into the Fitzpatrick Wilderness, the northernmost of the four. The Wind Rivers is so vast that one could spend a lifetime exploring and still not get to it all. Some parts are even more spectacular than better-known mountains such as the Tetons. So why isn't the Wind Rivers Wilderness widely known? It is because other mountain vistas and natural wonders are generally accessible and visible by roads, giving thousands of tourists easy access to them. Not so with the Wind Rivers. There are no roads into the Winds; one must hike about a day in order to begin seeing the spectacular scenery. It is truly wilderness backcountry. (Learn more at: www.windriverrange.com )
This expedition includes:
- Backpacking and camping (6 days)
- Rock climbing (1½ days)
- Trout fishing (1 day)
- Team building
- Problem solving and daily instructional classes
You will walk in a majestic part of this nation that most Americans have never seen. Even though you will see only a tiny percent of the Wind Rivers Wilderness, you will probably want to return someday to explore more of it. And you would be able to because you will learn the skills needed to plan safe and successful backpacking trips of your own with spouse, family or friends. You will be involved in the entire expedition process from beginning to end and will be doing everything needed in order to repeat it on your own. You will learn how to navigate in the mountains with a map and compass, and you will learn basic wilderness first aid skills.
You will be spent by the end of every day from physical and mental exertion and challenges. You will also spend a lot of time with a small group of ministers and other adult leaders who will be dedicating their time during the expedition to mentor and coach you to go back to your church area with more focus and zeal to prepare yourself for everything God has in store for the future-both the sobering, challenging things-and the unfathomably exciting things.
Requirements
- Young adults, high school graduate through 30s, single or married. Minimum age 18.
- We are looking for a small, select group of young adults who are demonstrating an interest in serving others and who are setting a positive example in their local congregations. Several recommendations will be involved in selecting the final group that makes the expedition.
- Prior experience in backpacking (for example at a United Youth Camp) is extremely helpful.
- Participants must be in good health and prepared to endure the rigors of a strenuous trip in high-country wilderness. This trip begins around 8,000 feet elevation and goes up to around 11,000 feet. There is much less oxygen than where you live. Combined with the fact that you will have a load on your back, this means long-term, advance training for strength and cardiovascular fitness is absolutely essential. Applicants will submit a 12-minute fitness test as part of the acceptance process. Training guidelines will be provided.
- Assignments prior to the trip. These will a training CD, some research and reading, and learning some navigation skills.
Dates
Sunday, July 20 Arrival at Dubois, Wyoming. (For those who can, driving is recommended. Those flying will arrive at Salt Lake City, Utah, early in the day and be driven by van to Dubois). We will spend the first two nights in tents in a campground at Dubois.
Monday, July 21 All-day training and preparation.
Tuesday, July 22 Hike into Wind Rivers.
Sunday, July 27 Hike out of Wind Rivers. We will spend the night in a campground at Dubois.
Monday, July 28 Travel home
Costs
Tuition: $300 (due upon acceptance). There are other additional costs that will vary according to participant, including:
- Travel cost to/from SLC airport (airfare) or Dubois, Wyoming (if driving).
- Travel food: Restaurant meals through Monday morning, July 21; plus return travel day meals.
- Backpacking Food: Each participant will buy all of his/her own backpack food in advance. (Detailed backpack food guidelines will be provided.)
- Fishing license ($11).
- Remaining costs will depend upon equipment you already own and what you will need to purchase. Remember that whatever you do purchase is an investment in a great activity that you will hopefully take advantage of for years to come. A detailed packing list is provided.
Scholarship Subsidy
Applicants who would like to apply to this program but cannot afford the full costs involved may apply for a scholarship subsidy.
How to Apply
For application details go to: members.ucg.org/challenger. If you cannot access the forms, contact program director, Paul Luecke, by e-mail at paul_luecke@ucg.org or by phone (610) 562-6808.
Application Deadline
Application deadline is May 1, 2008. However, due to the limited size of the expedition, the possible high number of applicants and the need for those accepted to begin preparing as soon as possible, it is highly suggested that you send your application in well before the deadline if possible.