Helping At-Risk Kids, One Hike at a Time

One of our top priorities for 2016 is to find new and innovative ways to reach out and provide a quality Scouting experience for underserved youth. So it’s always inspiring to see how some of our units are already working creatively with community partners to get a head start on that important goal.

Troop 814 of Crossnore, N.C. in the Daniel Boone Council is working with The Jason Project, a private foundation that provides outdoor experiences to help build confidence in struggling youth. The foundation was established by the parents of Jason Nipper, who died at age 26 from mental illness and substance abuse. His parents said mountain hiking was therapeutic for his illness, helping to ease his anxieties.

Four Scouts with Troop 814 recently completed “The Grandfather Challenge” training program, a local initiative sponsored by the Jason Project to have Scouts lead at-risk kids on local hiking trails at nearby Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also supporting this program is the Avery County School System, which serves this area.

Boy Scouts Seth Moody, Jeremiah Clark, Damian Fuller and Nathaniel Hardy receive certificates of completion from Cheryl and James Nipper of The Jason Project, Inc., for completing ”The Grandfather Challenge.”

These hiking excursions are in many ways like what we want our Scouts to experience. They are designed to assist at-risk kids who are struggling with personal adversities, and help them establish trust and a positive rapport with both teen and adult mentors.

Renowned naturalist and essayist John Burroughs once said: “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”

Mr. Burroughs got it right. As many of you know, I am a big fan of hiking, and the goals behind this initiative are spot-on. Whether you are a troubled youth, novice or experienced hiker, there is nothing more exhilarating than conquering a rugged, challenging trail. We apply that same logic to our Scouts, showing them how to face life’s challenges head-on and helping them to experience the self-confidence and satisfaction that comes with accomplishing difficult tasks.

Congratulations to the Troop 814 Scouts who completed this rigorous training for The Grandfather’s Challenge: Seth Moody, Jeremiah Clark, Damian Fuller and Nathaniel Hardy. May your efforts be rewarded with the knowledge that you will be helping kids of your age to overcome major personal hurdles and lead more productive lives. At-risk kids and other underserved youth deserve every chance we can give them to overcome their struggles and become strong citizens and contributors to their communities.

I am sure there are many other innovative programs you are working on—both indoors and outdoors—to help bring Scouting to youth in underserved neighborhoods. Please share them below and describe the success you’ve had so others can give your ideas a try.

Thanks for reading.

Mike