Student Reflection: Equal parts rewarding & challenging
Summit Achievement was an experience that was equal parts rewarding and challenging, and resulted in the most profound growth period of my life. When I arrived at Summit I was anxious and scared. Throughout my first few days at Summit, all I could think about was that I wanted to go home. I wanted to be anywhere else. Once I made the decision to accept my situation however, I experienced growth, happiness, and serenity – none of which I had felt for over three years. This is not to say that Summit Achievement is easy. Though we walk through many state parks on Expeditions, working through Summit Achievement is no walk in the park. There will be moments where you want to be somewhere else, where you do not feel like hiking or going to class. But the reward for pushing through these challenging moments is helping yourself grow into the person you want to be, and to heal the wounds from the past. In order to experience growth and healing throughout your time at Summit you only need two things; perseverance and a desire to change. Summit will help to equip you with the tools to manage any experience you may face, as well as learning about yourself and your emotions. Choosing to face my fears and go to Summit Achievement not only saved my life, it set me on a path to find my own happiness and find work that I am passionate about.
While I was at Summit I was able to find a traditional high school that I applied to and was accepted. I started at that high school after I graduated from Summit Traverse, and was able to graduate from that school and continue on to college. I would not have been able to continue with school if it had not been for Summit, because Summit helped me learn about my own learning styles and develop the skills I needed to succeed in school. After college, I decided to return to Summit for a period of time as a guide. Summit was so impactful for my life that I wanted to help others have an experience similar to mine. To this day, I still view Summit Achievement and Traverse as the place that changed and saved my life, as a collection of dedicated people who devote their lives to helping others.
– Anonymous
We are grateful for our Alumni who choose to tell their stories!