TriCity Family Services Congratulates the Participants of the 24th Wilderness Challenge Program

Geneva, IL-   Lengthy portages, extreme heat and relentless mosquitoes are just a few of the challenges that were conquered by the local teens who participated in TriCity Family Services’ Wilderness Challenge Program (WCP) June 19-26, 2013.  As they endured the elements of Mother Nature in the Boundary Waters Canoes Area Wilderness of Minnesota, the 29 teens displayed resilience throughout their intense journey.  TriCity Family Services is proud to recognize and congratulate the participants of the 24th annual Wilderness Challenge Program (WCP) for their determination, ambition and teamwork on the trail.  

The Wilderness Challenge Program, an 8-day canoeing and camping experience, is often life changing for the teen participants. The program provides the opportunity to build self-confidence, strengthen social skills, and learn what it means to be a leader.  Every challenge on the trail becomes a teachable moment and learning opportunity.  TriCity Family Services Mental Health Worker and WCP Leader, Allyse Rehak, recently stated, “The experience on the trail allowed the new participants to complete tasks they never thought possible and they talked about the great affirmation felt when able to reflect on accomplishments.” 

The trip is led by experienced agency staff and dedicated adult volunteers from the community.  TriCity Family Services thanks these individuals who make the Wilderness Challenge Program possible.  Upon reflecting on this year’s trip, Jim Otepka, Executive Director stated,  “I was once again amazed - and humbled - by the quality of our WCP staff: veteran volunteers, Matt “Tito” Tipperreiter, Jamie “Zapato” Schumacher, Julie “Tweety” Kaesar, Dudley “Do Right” Burgess, Jenni “Amazon” Spies, and Sarah “Wooder” Buchheit; new Co-Leader, Kyle Clausen; Graduate Intern, Megan Reeder; and, my trusted staff colleagues, Allyse Rehak and Greg “Pancho” Watson.  These skilled, dedicated servants gave up more than a week of their lives to enrich the lives of the 29 WCP teens. They are, indeed, the heart and soul of the program and we are forever indebted to them for the gifts of time, energy, understanding, wise counsel and love of which they gave so unselfishly to the teens.” 

To date, TriCity Family Services has led over 470 teens on this journey through nature and self-discovery. For more information on TriCity Family Services or the Wilderness Challenge Program, please call 630-232-1070 or visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org.