Running rivers, body surfing & the World Cup

July 13, 2010

The next stage of Leadership Training was the epic four days spent rafting down the legendary Arkansas River. Returning to the scene of the first Wilderness Medical Field exercise, the group shot down into Brown’s Canyon. Each student had a turn at guiding the raft down the river. Justin most impressively took the group through a Class II rapid. Maddie and Daniel apparently did really well when they were the “head stick master”.

The next day they ran the rapids know as PM. The group got to swim into class 2 rapids and do some awesome body surfing in the rapids. The second night on the river they played horseshoes and got to hike into a canyon with really cool flora and flauna abundant.

While we won’t go in too much detail here, parents be sure to ask your children upon their return home all about “The Groover “ and using it right next to the river.

The final day of rafting was the Royal Gorge, perhaps the most thrilling stretch of river in all of North America. Class IV and V Rapids were no match for these season adventurers.

Somehow amidst all the action the group got to see the World Cup final. Guli bet on Spain and Longacre Leader Chad bet on the Netherlands. Since Spain won, and Chad lost, Chad will now be giving hugs to everyone in the group. High stakes betting for sure! That evening the group got a visit from Longacre Leader extraordinaire, Becky. She led many of the LELTers through Alaska last year and in true Becky fashion arrived with home baked cookies. She is hoping to visit the group again in a couple of days.

The group began rock climbing at Taylor Canyon yesterday. We look forward to hearing all about their days on the rock.