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.
-Cam, TFL Director
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.
And I’m sure new neuro-pathways were formed:)
—Jason, TFL Executive Director
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.
— Grady, TFL Student
I felt the first real connection with my new Techie For Life family, and it made me proud to be a part of TFL.
We brought Roo (TFL’s emotional support dog) along, and he seemed to be having a blast, although he shivered a lot.
Cam helped some people move a giant inflatable flamingo across the reservoir.
We had some good laughs, and I feel like everyone seemed a bit more themselves than I had previously seen.
I like to think everyone else got to know me a little bit better as a result.
I definitely felt like I got to know Joseph better after we drove back.
—Astrid, TFL Student
The canyoneering trip was an experience I’ll never forget.
It was an optional activity that me, Dallin, and Grady went on with Cam in Yankee Doodle canyon.
Once we started, it was impossible to climb back out the way we started, so we got to really push our limits.
There was hiking, climbing, rappelling, chimney-crawling through slot canyons, wading, and even some swimming.
The canyon was beautiful, and there were lots of purple flowers blooming.
It was warm outside, but the water was freezing cold.
I was exhausted physically and emotionally by the end, but it felt great to have accomplished it.
—Amber, TFL Student
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
