Why Adventures Matter
By Zane Elliott (WA Trip Leader)
The Call to Adventure
“There will be a few times in your life when all your instincts will tell you to do something, something that defies logic, upsets your plans, and may seem crazy to others. When that happens, you do it. Listen to your instincts and ignore everything else. Ignore logic, ignore the odds, ignore the complications, and just go for it.” – Judith McNaught
We all crave adventure, it’s part of being human. History is littered with the stories of adventurers. Those who challenge themselves, explore the unknown, and return changed by the lessons they learned along the way. At Wilderness Adventures (WA) we believe that every journey, whether climbing the towering mountains of the Alps, fly fishing alpine lakes in the Tetons, or surfing the beaches of Costa Rica, is more than just a trip.
Our programs are designed to help students push their limits, embrace the unexpected, and grow in ways they never imagined. But what exactly makes a journey so powerful? Let’s explore what it’s like to Do Something Wild!
Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Growth begins where comfort ends. Many WA students come into trips with mostly excitement but also some uncertainty. For many, there will be a lot of firsts, and how cool is that! Sleeping under the stars, cooking meals, and tackling epic hikes, it’s all part of the adventure.
“Travel opens the door to uncertainty and when you don’t know what you’ll find you can experience what you never expected too.” – Rolf Potts
One of the key gifts of adventure is uncertainty itself. When you let things happen to you instead of going with your expectations, that’s when life gets interesting. These challenges are exactly what makes the experience so meaningful. If you knew everything that was going to happen in your day, what would be the fun in that? You can always do that at home. We take trips to be surprised, to live in the moment, and to experience what we could never have ever dreamed of.
When you leave behind phones, schedules, routines, and all the other comforts of daily life, you open yourself up to something greater. You learn that resilience isn’t built in comfort, it’s found in moments of uncertainty and perseverance. Wilderness Adventures provides the space for students to lean into the unknown, take risks, and discover for themselves what they never knew they had.
Overcoming Challenges
Life is unpredictable and so is nature. One moment, the sun is shining, the next, a storm rolls in. One moment you’re roasting a perfectly good marshmallow, the next, it lights on fire – oooh nooo! We don’t always expect these things to happen but overcoming them and being persistent builds a unique kind of strength.
Each challenge in the wild, mirrors everyday life. The persistence needed to reach the summit of the Grand Teton, Kilimanjaro, or Mt. Adams is the same grit needed to overcome obstacles in school, work, and relationships. Students will find themselves saying “I’ve conquered that place, now I can conquer the world.”
After-all, when you’ve pushed yourself on some of the most epic adventures this planet has to offer, that dreaded math test will be a piece of cake. Adventure instills a belief that no obstacle is too great, because you’ve already conquered so much.
The Power of Connection
One of the most important things you’ll learn from your wilderness journey is the connection it’ll bring. Not just with nature, but with others. People are and always will be the most special part of any trip. From our amazing trip leaders to incredible students, WA brings people together in a way that is real.
Sharing stories, solving riddles, or cooking a delicious backcountry meal together; these are the moments that create lasting friendships. At Wilderness Adventures we have plenty of fun, we aren’t afraid to be goofy, and be a little weird. You’ll find yourself playing a classic game of “YEEHAW”, yelling “get down little doggy” and “there’s a snake in my boot!” Yes, it’s a little silly, but we guarantee you won’t be able to stop laughing with a huge smile on your face.
The places you’ll see will be beautiful but the people are what you’ll always remember. Who knows, maybe your new best friend is just waiting to get to know you. The world is full of friends and chances are, as you start on your journey, there’ll be some pretty cool people all around you.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
“And you? Who are you? I am just like everyone else who listens to their heart: a person who is enchanted by the mystery of life. Who is open to miracles, who experiences joy and enthusiasm for what they do.” – Paulo Coelho
Every great story starts with a journey. Think about it, if the main character never set out on their adventure, it wouldn’t be much of a story at all. They wouldn’t have met people along the way, slayed the dragon, and returned home with the lessons they learned. You see, journeys are a metaphor for life.
So, if you’re looking for a challenge, a way to embrace growth through adventure, and an experience that will stay with you forever, join a Wilderness Adventures trip. Every journey begins with a single step, are you ready to start yours?
DO SOMETHING WILD!
