The adventure advantage

You likely know what it says in our motto: “We Make Kids Tired.”

 It’s true. When you see a kid who has spent a day at Passages Adventure Camp, they’re dirty, wet, sweaty, and tired. To hear them describe it, a day at Passages is an exercise in chaos…

But it’s a carefully orchestrated chaos.

Our campers participate in a number of activities: kayaking, mountain biking, zip-lining, rappelling, and more. Along the way, they learn things about themselves and their fellow campers. They develop self-worth and learn to work as a member of a team. They develop leadership skills, and above all, learn to conquer fear.

Taking a kid out of his or her comfort zone is an integral part of the Passages experience. A study from The College of Family Physicians of Canada talked about the rise in adventure sports and the risks and benefits of participation. Certainly, there’s an inherent risk in running a rapid in a kayak, or leaning backwards over a cliff face to prepare to rappel. Everyone who has ever tried to get risky on a mountain bike has a story about the scrape they earned.

The way the Canadian study explained it, humans are engineered to develop fear as a mechanism against injury. That’s a healthy fear. Exposing themselves to risk helps to develop that healthy fear and to unconsciously build risk management tactics.

Participating in the activities we teach at Passages also teaches kids the value of trust. When we enter the river to paddle, each of us (and them!) knows that we watch out for each other. If someone’s helmet isn’t buckled, we tell them. If someone is struggling with their paddling technique, we help them. When our kids first encounter the rock wall and strap into a harness, they trust the person holding the rope for safety and belay.

Our programs are structured in such a way that each day the kids enter a team. By the end of each day, and certainly by the end of each week, they are tight teams. They learn to trust each other, but also to encourage each other, cheer successes, and empathize with disappointments.

Lastly, they develop character and self-esteem. Almost every camper looks at something – a zip-line, or rushing whitewater rapid, or 50-foot rock wall – and thinks, “I can’t do that.”

When they arrive, this is likely true. But by learning trust, and conquering fear, by the time they leave they can.

We love to make kids tired. That’s our job. But more importantly, it’s to make them better, stronger kids full of character who will grow into better, stronger people who will build communities.

Farewell to Julie!

As many of you know, we are both sad and excited to announce the retirement of Julie Appleby, our beloved Registrar at Passages Adventure Camp. Julie has been the heart and soul of our camp’s registration process for the past 22 years, keeping everything running smoothly with dedication, warmth, and care. Her amazing organizational skills, paired with her kindness and commitment, have made her a true pillar of our community.

A long-time tradition at Passages has been the weekly award of a “Game Ball” to an outstanding staff member. From now on, that award will be known as the “Julie Game Ball” in recognition of the staffer who went above and beyond to create an amazing camp experience - much like Julie did for her 22 years with us. This small way of honoring her each week will continue to keep her part of Passages for years to come.

Julie’s impact goes far beyond paperwork and email threads. She’s been a listening ear, a calming presence, and a friendly face for countless families over the years. Whether guiding parents through the registration process, answering every phone call or question with patience, or going above and beyond to ensure campers had the best possible experience, Julie has been a constant source of support for us all.

Julie is an avid world traveler, and for her 22 years of work, we are gifting her the world (or at least world-travel) with her group, Intrepid Travel, so she can experience an adventure of her own as she has been helping families do for decades. 

Let’s make Julie’s retirement as unforgettable as the years she has given to Passages Adventure Camp.

Thank you, Julie, for everything you’ve done. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter!

With love and gratitude,

Arden Varley-Twyman and Kevin Tobin

Kevin, Julie and Arden