CHALLENGER WEST 2O14

Wind River Wilderness Expedition

July27 – August 5,2014

Sponsored by:UnitedChurch ofGod, an InternationalAssociation

PROGRAMDESCRIPTION

WhatisChallenger West?

Challenger Westan outdoor and leadershipprogramforyoungadultsinthe Church of God. This programtakesasmall,selectgroupofyoungadults (ages 18-30+)whoareseriousaboutGod’struthandChurch,andprovides them with opportunities to develop qualities of leadershipinanoutdoorsetting. Each program revolves around a close mentoring dynamic and group dynamic. The purpose is to provide physical and spiritual apprenticeship to those desiring to grow in godly character, leadership and serving others.

Why Have a Challenging, Adventure Program?

A major premise of the program is that growth in any endeavor does not come unless a person explores or is “challenged” outside of his comfort zone. Leaders are needed who can not only face difficulties with perseverance and courage – but who will also challenge themselves towards growth in leadership and spiritual maturity. Succeed or fail – there is always something to be learned from challenges, tests and new experiences. Scriptures to consider: 1. Cor. 9:24-27, 2. Tim. 2:3-4,

James 1:2-4, 12, 2. Cor. 13:5, Heb. 2:10; 5:8-9.

Participants will learn practical outdoor and adventure skills, as well as have constant opportunities for personal growth,learning leadership and service. ThisisonereasonChallengerisinawildernesssetting. Valuablelessons are learnedbyfacing challenges,discomfort, andevenspartan livingconditionsintheoutdoors. Butitisn’tallasacrifice ofcomforts! EachChallengerprogramtakesparticipantsoutoftheirnormal,every-daylivesandbringsthemintoaninspiringsetting, freefromdaily distractions,andteacheslessonsdrawnfromthewildernesssetting. Memoriesofadramaticexperiencehelpcementotherlessonsimpartedduringthecourseofthe experience.

Be sure to go to the Challenger West 2014 Facebook page for photos and to share information
with other applicants.

WhyaBackpackExpedition?

Backpackingisanactivitythatencompassesafull set of disciplinesusefulthroughoutlife.It’sagreatwaytostayfit,buildcloserelationshipswithfamilyandfriends,andregainperspectiveinlife.Itissomethinganyonein reasonablygoodhealthcan do, and isagoodincentivetogetinshape!Backpackingpromotesamorevigorouslifestyle in a societythathasbecomesedentaryandflabby . . .physicallyandspiritually.God designedourbodiesandmindstobeactiveandengagedinvigorousactivitytofunctionatour best. Backpacking getsyouintoGod’sgreatcreation,andgivesasenseofperspectivethatisdifficulttoparallelin today’scomplexworld.

Whatisthe Wind RiverWildernessExpedition?

TheWindRiverMountainRangeisinwesternWyoming. ItisaspectacularsectionoftheRockies withnumerouspeaks(48ofthemareover12,500feetelevation) andmore than2,000 lakes. Itiscomprisedoffourwildernessareastotalingnearlyamillionacres.OurexpeditionisintheFitzpatrickWilderness,thenorthernmostof thefour. But noroadsgointothe‘Winds’;onemusthikeaboutadayjusttobeginseeingthespectacularvistas. Itis trulywildernessbackcountry.Youcanlearnmore at

TheExpeditionincludes: BackpackingandCampingRockclimbing

Trout fishingTeam-building

Orienteering Daily Bible instruction

Interactive group leadership exploration

Youwillwalkinamajesticpartofthisnation thatmostAmericanshaveneverseen. EventhoughyouwillseeonlyatinyportionoftheWindRiverwilderness,youwilllikelywanttoreturnsomedayto exploremoreofit. Youwillbeinvolved intheexpeditionprocessfrombeginningtoendandwillbedoingeverythingneededinordertorepeatitonyourown. Youwilllearnbasicwildernessskills,including howtonavigatewithamapandcompass,andbasic wildernessfirst aidskills.Most importantly, you will see growth in yourself through a revamped program of leadership exploration and group dynamic, which is briefly described below.

Spiritual and Leadership Exploration

This aspect of Challenger is being totally revamped for 2014. Participants will have greater opportunities to explore where they are in their development spiritually and from the standpoint as leaders. This will involve the following components:

daily discussions of leadership case-studies from the Bible;

small group discussions and leadership opportunities – each person will have one opportunity at Challenger West to lead his/her group for the day;

exercises designed to explore who a person is, his/her values and how he/she relates to others;

journal entries from each day about lessons learned from activities and discussions;

group feedback sessions.

In addition to the Bible, participants will be asked to read (at least some of the chapters in) the book “True North”, and to take the strengths inventory from “Strengths Finder 2.0” (Tom Rath). Both will be provided by Challenger West.

Application Requirements

1. Highschoolgraduatesthrough30+,singleor married.Minimumage is18.

2. Mustalreadybedemonstratinganinterestinservingothers, settingapositiveexampleinthe local congregation and exploring your leadership character.

3. Participantsmustbeinoverall goodhealthandinterestedinmaintaininglong-termfitness.

4. A commitmenttoconsistenttrainingbefore thetripisessential.Everyteammembermustbepreparedtoenduretherigorsofastrenuoustripinhigh-countrywilderness.Webeginaround

7,500 feetelevationandgouptoaround10,500feet. Higher altitude, combinedwithcarryingaloadonyourbackuphillformiles,means training forstrengthandcardiovascularfitnesslongbeforethetripisabsolutelyvital.Trainingguidelinesareprovided in a separate document.

5. A30-minutefitnesstest is requiredaspartoftheacceptanceprocess.

DatesSchedule:

Sunday,July27ArrivalatDubois,WY. (Forthosewhocan,drivingisrecommended. Those flyingwillarriveatJacksonHole,WYearlyinthedayandbe takenbyvantoDubois). Wewill spendthefirst twonights intentsina campgroundatDubois.

Monday,July28 All-daytrainingclassesandpreparation.

Tuesday, July29 HikeintoWindRiver Wilderness.

Monday,August 4 HikeoutofWindRiver Wilderness. Spend the nightin campgroundatDubois.

Tuesday, August 5 Returntravelhome

Costs:

There is a $100 tuition. Additionalcostswill varyaccordingtoparticipant . . .

AirfaretoJacksonHole, WY(JAC),ordrivingcoststoDubois,WY.

Travel Food: These are meals / food needed before you arrive in Dubois and after you leave.

 Restaurant Meals in Dubois: plan on three (3) restaurant meals while in Dubois: Sunday

dinner (July 27), Monday dinner (July 28) and Monday dinner (August 4).

BackpackingFood: eachparticipantwill need to buyallofhis/her ownbackpackfoodin

advance.We will use this food beginning Tuesday noon through the following Sunday

morning / noon. (Detailed backpack food guidelines are in a separate document.)

Fishinglicense($20-$40, depending on how many days you want to fish.)

Remainingcostswilldependuponequipmenta) youalreadyown, b) that you can borrow from family and friends, and c)whatyouwillneedtopurchase. Remember thatwhateveryoudopurchase isaninvestment inapositive activitythathopefully youwill get involvedin foryearsto come.(Adetailedpackinglist isprovided in a separate document.)

HowtoApply

Goto. Beforefillingoutanapplicationform, it is highly recommended that you downloadandreadall oftheformsandinformation.If you decidetoapply,completetheApplicationandHealthHistory/Insuranceformsandsend themtoChallenger Westdirector Matthew Fenchel attheaddressindicated. If you have trouble accessing the forms on-line (they can be filled out and saved on your own computer), please contact Mr. Fenchel at or 513-943-4574.

Application Deadline—April1, 2014

ApplicationdeadlineisApril1, 2014. However…duetothelimitedsize (10-14 participants)ofthisexpeditionandtheneedforthoseacceptedtobeginpreparingmonthsin advance,it ishighlysuggested thatyousendyourapplicationinwell before thedeadlineifpossible.