Whether you’re new to challenge course or an old pro, understanding the terms Challenge by Choice and Brave Space help make challenge course a successful part of T.R.A.C. 

Join us in welcoming Maggie Parker as the new Teen Reach Administrative Assistant!

Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not to do something; the quality of being determined or resolute.

Each year we anticipate the holidays, spend time with loved ones and make plans for new goals. Then suddenly it’s January 2nd, and we rethink our New Year's resolution when eyeing the left-over Christmas candy. With 80% of people giving up their New Year's resolutions by March, what can we do to be more successful?

Meet our newest staff members! Feel free to reach out and welcome these amazing additions to the Teen Reach team.

Summit still haunts me.

Something Grace said when she and her sister shared about their lives in foster care has shaken me to the core.

Thousands of youth in foster care DISAPPEAR each year.

Beth Guckenberger, author of nine books, including Start with Amen and Tales of the Not Forgotten, was at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Conference in Atlanta in September this year. Our former T.R.A.C. behavioral specialist shared Beth’s devotion from the YouVersion Bible app with me. I’ve completed several studies over the years, and this makes the top ten list.

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

Will and I just returned from CAFO, the Christian Alliance for Orphans conference, in Atlanta where I went to a session called the “Enduring Value of Supportive Relationships for Youth Transitioning out of Care.” This was led by Dr. Adrian van Breda, a priest and renown sociology professor at the University of Johannesburg who’s been studying aging-out youth for 30 years.

Recently, Pastor Bryan Clark shared the following metaphor on My Bridge radio, a Christian station that periodically shares stories about RFK and T.R.A.C.

4 Schools
3 Towns
8 Homes
Multiple adults who let you down.
13 years old.

“The pizza inflatable goes the fastest on the slip ‘n slide!”

This comment was not made by a camper, but rather by Marilyn, the 79-year-old camp nurse and grandma at T.R.A.C. Erie, Pennsylvania, this past summer.

“Never stop praying.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Nancy Carlson, longtime director at Kearney T.R.A.C. recently passed out noisemakers to trainees at National Leadership Training in Nebraska.

The chemistry between this long-time mentor and mentee (now officially an adult) was evident at National Leadership Training in Washington this year.

Tina from Midland, Michigan, combines her love of horses with her love of mentoring.

Serena recently shared a post from Pastor Rick Warren entitled “Exercise Faith by Setting Goals.”

Meet Rose, a mentor from Camas, Washington. Recently, she shared her positive experience mentoring.

My mentee wasn’t at the coffee shop across the high school where we agreed to meet. After several calls, I learned she’d gone home with a guy. I knew we needed to talk.