Turning Winds Academic Institute Spartans

The anxiety was running high as nine students from Turning Winds Academic Institute eagerly awaited for The Spartan Sprint Race to begin.  The atmosphere was booming with loud music and over 6000 people in attendance- it almost felt like being at a concert.  With about 4.8 miles of rough, muddy, terrain and 15 obstacles, the course was sure to be a challenge for even the fittest and athletic person.  Every 15 minutes, a group of two-hundred “die-hard” Spartans was released onto the muddy, obstacle course.  The Spartan Sprint race was located in Big Fork, Montana on private land.

As the announcer signaled for the race to begin, TWAI students immediately trudged through a pool of murky water followed by a very steep hill climb that appeared to last forever.  Our students were organized into two teams:  Team Gladiator (the boy's group) and Team Spirit (girls group). 

The teams broke away from one another early on as they were determined to push one another beyond their limits while working to finish the challenging course with their fearless leaders.  The obstacles were difficult but the terrain was by far the most strenuous aspect of the course.  The one-mile, hill climb was slippery and steep.  This challenge would have broken most people, but our teams prevailed through this great challenge. 

The obstacles consisted of the following:  carrying a 30lb sandbag up a hill; the rope climb; the javelin throw; log carry/roll; wall climbs; ramp climb as well as the net climb; log hurdles and crawling under the barbwire.  Perhaps the most difficult obstacle at the Spartan Race was crawling under the barbwire.  The first set of barbwire was easily accomplished, but to climb over the hay bales only to find two more sets of barbwire was a bit devastating.  After completing this arduous task, which absolutely wore the strength right out of your arms, the following challenge included the rope climb.  Needless to say, there were not very many people who could climb the rope.  For those participants who were unable to complete an obstacle such as the rope climb, they were required to complete thirty burpees before moving onto the next challenge.

After climbing the last wall, the finish line was in sight.  Prior to crossing the finish line, all participants had to overcome one last obstacle – jumping over a fire!  Both teams finished what they started and were exhilarated upon completing one of the most challenging courses in the world.  Team Gladiator

finished in 1 hour and 29 minutes while Team Spirit completed the race in 2 hours and 13 minutes.  Wow, what an accomplishment to all of the students and staff who completed The Montana Spartan Sprint – 2014.  For more information about The Turning Winds School, please call 800-845-1380.

Challenging Yet Inspiring: Our Trip to Hells Canyon

Challenging yet Inspiring -our trip to Hells Canyon. 

Inspiring moments from our trip to Hells Canyon, were witnessed throughout the expedition through various experiences which included the following:  doing the unthinkable – backpacking 18 miles in three days; overcoming doubts, such as, climbing a steep hill and then climbing another steep and yet another hill without giving up; having a positive outlook and attitude throughout the entire trip; inspirational discussions that touched our hearts and minds; completing thought provoking assignments such as outdoor metaphors and the time-capsule letter; growing stronger as a group and learning to accept people for who they are despite their differences; and personal reflection time.  We at Turning Winds Academic Institute consider's these experiences as invaluable opportunities to grow emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Some of the highlights of the trip included: reaching our destinations, playing capture the flag, harvesting remnant volcanic ash from Mt. Mazama’s eruption that was found inside a small cave near Carter’s Mansion; the tremendous views throughout the canyon; completing the expedition; having breakfast at John’s house on his birthday; and going out to eat and watching a movie at the theater.

One of the great tools that we use in teaching our students, is the use of experiential education - providing learning experiences in an informal setting free, from walls and staleness.  One particular assignment which is fun to participate in, is the writing of outdoor metaphors.  An outdoor metaphor is defined by relating the backpacking experience into some aspect to our life.  For example, the stars that can be seen in the night sky may represent all of the people in our lives that guide us with their good light, especially through dark periods of our life.   Excerpts from the outdoor metaphor writing assignments include:  “Grass represents the soft, caring side of myself,” “tent represents a safe shelter,” “our backpacks are like all [of] our troubles weighing down on us,” “wind [represents] struggles in life,” “down-hill, the break that comes after all the hard work,” “flowers represent the good parts of life,” “traction on shoes are the support of friends that keep me from slipping.”

Some of the daily devotionals which we discussed included: Staying positive when the going get's tough; If only I had changed myself first...; A Tale of Two Wolves; The power of persistence and determination.  

Cold Snow and Hot Springs

A group of young men and women from Turning Winds Academic Institute took an overnight retreat to Bighorn Christian Campground - the campground specializes in promoting outdoor education.  The campus was covered in snow as a storm had just come through the day before.  The cabins were comfortable; the food was great and the staff were friendly. Furthermore, we were provided with our own private conference room which had a wood burning fireplace.

We spent the evening at Hot Springs, Montana at Symes soaking in the mineral pools.  Just like goldilocks had to try all three porridges, our students had to try all three hot springs with each one a bit warmer than the other.  One of the students even rolled in the powdery snow and jumped backed into the hot springs.  We all had a delightful time!

Once back at Bighorn Campground, we filled up on hot chocolate, played board games and enjoyed the warmth from the crackling fire inside the conference room.  At about midnight, we retired for the evening as we knew that breakfast would be served early in the morning.

The following day, our group snowshoed up to Cascade Falls which was about a 3 mile roundtrip hike.  The scenery was beautiful as there was about one foot of freshly fallen snow.  The trees and bushes were all covered in white and the surroundings were quieted because of all the snow.  Once we reached Cascade Falls, the view was breathtaking and surreal.

At Turning Winds Academic Institute, we strive to bridge the gap of failure with success.  We accomplish this task through a variety of modalities of treatment: outdoor education, leadership
development, character education and creating progress through therapy and educational achievement.  For more information on our therapeutic boarding school, please contact us at:  800-845-1380.

Dashing Through The Snow

It was a cold wintery day for the students at Turning Winds Academic Institute but the experience of snowmobiling was enough to warm their hearts and minds -the thought of being in the cold quickly melted away with excitement. 

There were many boys and girls who were able to experience the thrill of powering the snow machines across the expansive fields while maneuvering in and out of the woods as they glided over the thick blanket of snow.  Their eyes were lit up with joy…”oh what fun it is to ride on a” six hundred and fifty-horse snowmobile, was the song that was sung that day.

For more information about our exceptional boarding school, please contact us at:  800-845-1380.