I have been walking with a group of guys from North Middle School. This last week, I paddled with them.The last two summers we've gone to Young Life's Wildhorse Canyon for camp. Since the guys have had plenty of opportunity to experience Wildhorse Canyon and because they are graduating from North Middle School to Everett High School, we thought we'd do a special camping opportunity with these growing young men.
That special opportunity was Young Life's Kayaking Beyond. We made it extra special in that we not only invited the graduating eighth graders from North, but also their dads. It seems like there was still an opportunity (maybe the last) for father-son camping. We also invited a leader from Everett Young Life who would disciple these boys for their high school years, therefore smoothing the transition from middle school to high school and WyldLife to Young Life. The results of the strategic planning was a trip that will be difficult to duplicate, but duplication should be attempted. It was that good. This was Young Life at its purposeful best.
The kayaking started in Egmont, BC at the top of the Sunshine Coast. Camping was on undeveloped sites along the Inlet route. We basically found a fairly flat, small-rock beach and that was our campsite. We only put up tents one night and slept under the star-filled Canadian skies the other nights. The food is what you'd imagine on a trip where you have to pack all your food and supplies.
The paddling was absolutely incredible. The majestic fjords of B.C.'s Coastal Range provided an awe-inspiring backdrop for our trip. The scenery kept changing but the majesty never let up. As campers we didn't have watches or GPS, but we later found out how long we paddled. Our epic day was day two, where we paddled nine hours and 22 miles. It was an absolutely exhausting, absolutely exhilarating day.
To go through the Malibu Rapids from Jervis Inlet to Princess Louisa Inlet we needed a slack tide. Slack tide was at 4:20 a.m. So we woke at 2:30 a.m. for a night paddle through the Malibu Rapids. It was an experience that still gives me chills. To turn the corner and see the bright lights of Malibu was blinding. To go through the rapids as the sea and the camp stood silent was hard to believe. To do it all in dark will never be forgotten.The true highlight of the trip was to experience the growth in each of us. We grew exponentially in our ability to paddle a kayak, including handling massive swells and breakers while beaching. Each father and son relationship grew through the various challenges of life together in a tandem kayak. Most amazing was the growth in each of our walks with Christ. The incredible creation surrounding us, the challenge of the paddling, the support of community and the leadership of our guides provided the impetus for deep growth in our relationship with Christ.
After walking with these boys for three years in WyldLife, they are
off to high school and Young Life. A key component of this trip was to get the boys connected with Casey Price, a Young Life leader at Everett High School. That goal was accomplished. Casey did a great job keeping the boys motivated and entertained on the trip.There are few opportunities to experience the kind of physical, relational and spiritual challenge we faced during our 60 miles of kayaking in Jervis and Princess Louisa inlets. These boys and their dads took on that challenge. The challenge of the Inlets and the community changed us all.
In His grip,
D. Mason Rutledge
Regional Director
Regional Director
