We had a blast at our annual cross-country horse trip.
We spent the night in a cabin and navigated steep hills, sandy riverbeds, and even hiked into a slot canyon.
It was a great overnighter.
Some of the students seemed a little nervous about riding horses and guiding them on the right path, but all enjoyed galloping, trotting, and climbing hills by the end.
TFL motto #3 “Out of our comfort zones but not overwhelmed.”
What a trip!!
Moab and the Colorado River are always a great mix.
We rafted on some pretty calm stretches for three days, with some fun rapids along the way.
It was hot and cool and beautiful.
It is so important for our students to do new and uncomfortable things, even if they never do that specific activity or trip again.
It comes down to brain activity and neuro-pathways.
If the brain can get used to building new pathways that are uncomfortable, different, and even a little anxiety causing, the brain can also learn to get out of comfort zones in other scary ways as well.
After doing some rapids and sleeping outdoors, it is a little easier to travel and interview for a job.
Don’t tell the students, but it was really nice to unplug for a few days and just enjoy each other and nature- it heals the soul and lifts the heart.
Doing hard things fits into what we all need to make it into successful adulthood and responsibility.
It builds confidence in ways no amount of talk therapy can do and gives tangible substance for our brains to believe that we are good enough.
Telling ourselves we are worthwhile just doesn’t carry the same weight as doing effective and functional things.
With confidence comes loss… doubt, fear, anxiety, depression and others.
Our students were pushed and they all did really well.
Kanarra creek is an invitation to witness the wonders of creation.
Carved into the red rock of the desert mesa, one cannot help but intuit they stand in the narrow aisle of a vast house of worship.
Beneath your feet run the baptismal waters of the creek itself, above your head for tens of feet is the twisting walls of the canyon, carved into creamy undulations and myriad pockets, dips, nooks, and crannies.
All around you are parishioners of every shape and size.
Humans from all over flock to hear the water’s gospel, and trees hand out green pamphlets that tickle as you walk past the crowds of shade trees.
If can approach with an open heart and open mind it’s not just a short day hike, it’s an experience.
We had a great time out at the Red Cliffs hike recently.
There was a lot of runoff, which created some beautiful clear pools of cold water that only
Grady dared swim in.
Amber, Dylan and I hiked in further while the rest hung out at the first pool.
We had to pass a rocky obstacle using some rope to avoid falling into the pool of water below.
It was kinda tricky, and a lot of fun.
—Cam, TFL Mentor
Debbie Grygla
Debbie Grygla is the Marketing and Admissions Director who works with educational consultants, parents and students to find out if TechieForLife is the right fit.
Debbie knows as a parent herself how important it is to find the right support for a child that is struggling.
Debbie has parented neurodiverse foster/adopted children of her own into independent adulthood. Her son, Lee, was TechieForLife’s first student.
Debbie is also a trained Life Coach and teaches a weekly life skills class at TFL.
Debbie is a dance mom, kid taxi driver and an avid personal development podcast listener from California, Arizona and for the last six years Toquerville, Utah.