Summit Outdoors Cross The Divide Workshop 9/29/2022
I was truly looking forward to the backpacking trip and ended up really enjoying the company and program facilitated. I believe this is a great option for getting folks out of their comfort zone and beginning to repair damage in their lives. I learned that we all experience brokenness and even if mine is unique, the experiences are not mine alone, and other people have experienced the same.
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I was expecting to connect with other veterans and have some of those standard 'two-inch below-the-surface' discussions about our own journeys in the service, in our transitions, and in our faith. However, I did not expect the depth of connection to God's creation, our own stories, and each other that being out in nature and disconnecting from our own constructs allowed. I personally made some profound discoveries about some of my own challenges and was provided some incredible encouragement by finding those threads of connection with other veterans in their personal challenges and successes. An amazing venue in the Olympic mountains, genuine and dedicated facilitators, and an incredible group of fellow veterans made for a deeply meaningful trek. Thank you for your leadership on the trail and our own personal walks!
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I was really intrigued by this event and expected that it would be challenging physically. I didn't know quite how challenging it would be spiritually until it came time to share part of my story with others. I'd done that before with a lot of parts of my life but there had always been a couple things I'd held back. This event felt like the right place to speak those particular painful moments out loud. I believe that as time goes by, I will be better able to connect with others since I've finally opened up about the darkest moments in my life, allowing some light in.
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The entire experience was good. Men don't always look forward to uncomfortable experiences but they almost always bring them together. Leadership was great and set the tone well. I have no doubt that each man shared more than they would otherwise have, due to their example. I learned what my next steps are in the journey to heal the wounds I have caused with my wife and son. I realized that I have already arrived at a crossroads and now I need to take some definitive action steps.
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I was expecting to connect with other veterans and have some of those standard 'two-inch below-the-surface' discussions about our own journeys in the service, in our transitions, and in our faith. However, I did not expect the depth of connection to God's creation, our own stories, and each other that being out in nature and disconnecting from our own constructs allowed. I personally made some profound discoveries about some of my own challenges and was provided some incredible encouragement by finding those threads of connection with other veterans in their personal challenges and successes. An amazing venue in the Olympic mountains, genuine and dedicated facilitators, and an incredible group of fellow veterans made for a deeply meaningful trek. Thank you for your leadership on the trail and our own personal walks!
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I was really intrigued by this event and expected that it would be challenging physically. I didn't know quite how challenging it would be spiritually until it came time to share part of my story with others. I'd done that before with a lot of parts of my life but there had always been a couple things I'd held back. This event felt like the right place to speak those particular painful moments out loud. I believe that as time goes by, I will be better able to connect with others since I've finally opened up about the darkest moments in my life, allowing some light in.
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The entire experience was good. Men don't always look forward to uncomfortable experiences but they almost always bring them together. Leadership was great and set the tone well. I have no doubt that each man shared more than they would otherwise have, due to their example. I learned what my next steps are in the journey to heal the wounds I have caused with my wife and son. I realized that I have already arrived at a crossroads and now I need to take some definitive action steps.