CHALLENGER WEST 2O12

Wind River Wilderness Expedition

July15-23,2012

Sponsored by:UnitedChurch ofGod, an InternationalAssociation

PROGRAMDESCRIPTION

WhatisChallenger?

Challengerisaleadershipprogramforyoungadultsinthe Church of God. Therearecurrentlytwo Challengerprograms – Challenger West (WindRiver Wilderness Expedition) and Challenger East (exact location still to be determined). Eachsessiontakesasmall,selectgroupofyoungadults(usually10-14)whoareseriousaboutGod’struthandChurch,andgivesthemfocusedtraininginanoutdoorsetting. Each program revolves around a close mentoring dynamic with a small group of ministers and other adult leaders. The purpose is to provide both physical and spiritual training to those desiring to grow in godly character, leadership skills and in serving others.

Participants learn practical outdoor and adventure skills, as well as how to be better prepared for the future—in terms of both personal growth and service. The Church of God needs leaders and pillars who can not only face difficulties with perseverance and courage – but who will also challenge themselves towards growth in leadership and spiritual maturity.ThisisonereasonChallengerisinawilderness/challengesetting. Valuablelessons are learnedbyfacing challenges,discomfort, andevenspartan livingconditionsintheoutdoors. Butitisn’tallasacrifice ofcomforts! EachChallengerprogramtakesparticipantsoutoftheirnormal,every-daylivesandbringsthemintoaninspiringsetting, freefromdistractionsoftheworld,andteacheslessonsdrawnfromthewildernesssetting. Andmemoriesofadramaticexperiencehelpcementotherlessonsimpartedduringthecourseofthe experience.Formoreinformationbesuretovisitourwebsiteatuyc.ucg.org.

Be sure to be watching for the 2012 UYC Camp Magazine for beautiful pictures of the Wind River Wilderness!

WhyaBackpackExpedition?

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

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Whatisthe Wind RiverWildernessExpedition?

TheWindRiverMountainRangeisinwesternWyoming. ItisaspectacularsectionoftheRockies withnumerouspeaks(48ofthemareover12,500feetelevation) andmore2,000 lakes. Itiscomprisedoffourwildernessareastotalingnearlyamillionacres. Itissovastthatonecouldspendalifetime exploringandstillnotseeitall. OurexpeditionisintheFitzpatrickWilderness,thenorthernmostof thefour. Whyisn’ttheWindRiverWildernesswidelyknown? The reason is becausemostothermountainvistas andnaturalwondersarevisiblefromroads,givingaccesstothousandsoftourists. Butnoroadsgointothe‘Winds’;onemusthikeaboutadayjusttobeginseeingthespectacularvistas. Itis trulywildernessbackcountry.Youcanlearnmore at

TheExpeditionincludes: BackpackingandCamping(6days)

Rockclimbing(2-3 days)

Trout fishing(1day and / or at the end of each day)

Team-building

Orienteering

Problem-solvingtasks

DailyinstructioninleadershipandChristian Living

Youwillwalkinamajesticpartofthisnation thatmostAmericanshaveneverseen. EventhoughyouwillseeonlyatinyportionoftheWindRiverwilderness,youwilllikelywanttoreturnsomedayto exploremoreofit. Andyouwouldbeableto . . . becauseyouwilllearntheskillsneededtoplanasafe,successfulbackpackingtriponyourowninthe future with spouse,familyorfriends.Youwillbeinvolved intheexpeditionprocessfrombeginningtoendandwillbedoingeverythingneededinordertorepeatitonyourown. Youwilllearnbasicwildernessskills,including howtonavigatewithamapandcompass,andbasic wildernessfirst aidskills.

Youwillbespentattheendofeachdayfromphysicalandmentalchallenges. Youwillspendalotoftimewithasmallgroupofministersandadultleaderswhoarededicatingtheirtimetocoachyouto returnhomewithmorefocus and zeal,andtoprepareyourselfforeverythingthatthefutureholds – boththesoberingandchallengingtimes – andtheunfathomablyexcitingtimes.

Application Requirements

1. Highschoolgraduatesthrough30+,singleor married.Minimumage is18.

2. Mustalreadybedemonstratinganinterestinservingothersandsettingapositiveexampleinthe local congregation (includingregular attendance).More than one recommendation – includinglocal pastor’s – willbeinvolvedintheselectionoftheteam acceptedforthisexpedition.

3. Participantsmustbeinoverall goodhealthandinterestedinmaintaininglong-termfitness.

4. A commitmenttosomeconsistenttrainingbefore thetripisessential.Everyteammembermustbepreparedtoenduretherigorsofastrenuoustripinhigh-countrywilderness.Webeginaround

8,000 feetelevationandgouptoaround11,000feet. The air-pressure is less at those altitudes, which means your body will be working harder – and you will be breathing harder – in order to get the oxygen you need. Combinedwithcarryingaloadonyourbackuphillformiles,thismeanstraining forstrengthandcardiovascularfitnesslongbeforethetripisabsolutelyvital.Trainingguidelinesareprovided in a separate document.

5. A12-minutefitnesstest is requiredaspartoftheacceptanceprocess.

6. Someassignmentsmay berequiredpriortothetrip. ThesemayincludeatrainingCD,someresearchandreading, and learningsomenavigationskills.

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DatesSchedule:

Sunday,July15ArrivalatDubois,WY. (Forthosewhocan,drivingisrecommended. Those flyingwillarriveatJacksonHole,WYearlyinthedayandbe takenbyvantoDubois). Wewill spendthefirst twonights intentsina campgroundatDubois.

Monday,July16 All-daytrainingclassesandpreparation.Tuesday, July17 HikeintoWindRiver Wilderness.

Sunday,July22HikeoutofWindRiver Wilderness. Spend the nightin campgroundatDubois.

Monday, July23 Returntravelhome

Costs:

There are no tuition costs or fees to be paid. 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 15), Monday dinner (July 16) and Sunday dinner (July 22).

BackpackingFood: eachparticipantwill need to buyallofhis/her ownbackpackfoodin

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

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

Fishinglicense($20)

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

Gotouyc.ucg.org. Beforefillingoutanapplicationform, it is highly recommended that you downloadandreadall oftheformsandinformation.If you decidetoapply,completetheApplicationand

HealthHistory/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—April15, 2012

ApplicationdeadlineisApril15, 2012. However…duetothelimitedsizeofthisexpedition,andthelikely large number ofapplicants,andtheneedforthoseacceptedtobeginpreparingmonthsin advance,it ishighlysuggested thatyousendyourapplicationinwell before thedeadlineifpossible.

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