Recent graduate, Faith Wolff, reflects on her time at Outdoor Lab as an intern and the transformative nature of the experience for the students with whom she has worked.
In Faith's words...
Outdoor Lab is a once in a lifetime opportunity, for those who take it, filled with unique and profound experiences from which to learn about yourself, others, and the environment around you. I spent my senior year at Windy Peak and learned incredible life and leadership skills. Most importantly, I built deep relationships throughout my experience working with students and my team.
Daily intern activities include managing a bunkhouse, teaching classes, and fulfilling the needs of sixth graders and high school leaders alike. Yet creating connections with those students most in need became my real duty. On the fifth week of my first semester at Windy Peak, I met a sixth grader, who struggled greatly with mental health issues, something that a twelve year old should never need to deal with. She was incredibly resilient, having so much fun, despite the adversity she was enduring. I had connected well with her, and had become someone she could talk to.
Having the opportunity to help her, even for a week, brought immense joy to my soul - "filling my bucket” in a sense. Through this experience, I discovered my love for helping others. And, over my many weeks with the Outdoor Lab program, I had the opportunity to hone my ability to help others, whether it was showing grace, or simply listening to someone who needed it. The relationships I was able to create will be lifelong and deeply meaningful, as most never forget their Outdoor lab experience. Because of this experience I am filled with immense gratitude and feel empowered like never before.
I was able to change lives on a daily basis with the skills I’ve acquired within my time at Windy, those including confidence, leadership, and various life lessons. I am able to apply these lessons and skills to my everyday life and become a more confident, understanding, caring individual who is more prepared for what the world has to offer. Furthermore, my time with the Outdoor Lab Program has brought impactful purpose, connection, and unique skills into my life, henceforth, preparing me to move onto the next chapter.
