After several years of struggling to get Littles interested in summer backpacking programs, Buncombe County Program Coordinator Tessa Valladares succeeded in getting two of her Littles to participate this summer in a 22-day backpacking expedition, the longest one offered.
Caitlyn and Ky’Ren successfully completed their trips and absolutely loved the experience. Ky’Ren said he gained some amazing new leadership skills. Caitlyn shared this about her experience:
“The trip overall was very inspirational for the environmental career I want to pursue by showing me exactly why the world’s beauty needs to be preserved, as well as how we were taught to deal with conflict,” she said.
“Tools I have taken from the trip,” she said, “help me voice my concerns in a calm manner, hearing the other person out, and finding a solution instead of arguing and resolving nothing.”
“It was incredible” Tessa said, “to see how much both of them gained from the experience, and I’m so grateful they had the opportunity to participate.”
