Group of Girls Experience the Beauty of Northern Idaho

On August 12^th, a group of eight young women from Turning Winds Academic Institute set out on an adventure through the beautiful mountains located in the northern most corner of Idaho.  Below is the account of the venture as recorded by the historian for each day.  

Day One-

“So far today has been very good, we hiked about a mile or maybe a little more.  While hiking some of the girls found our first huckleberries.  We were picking them off of the bushes like they were candy.  They tasted wonderful.  Once we reached the campsite, we set up our tents and then filled our water bottles with filtered water from the creek.  Next we made dinner on our mini-stoves.  There were several delicious choices for dinner; ramen noodles, three different kinds of fettuccini, and some instant potatoes.  Once we finished our dinner we returned to the creek to wash our mini pots and spoons.  Afterward we were treated to a wonderful campfire, although some of the girls had some trouble hanging the food in the trees away from the bears.  So that took some time to get taken care of.  Today was a great first day.”

Day Two-

“We woke up today around seven in the morning and prepared breakfast.  Once we finished and cleaned up we prepared to set off for Hidden Lake.  The beginning of the hike was a struggle for some of the girls, primarily me.  But our team leader made an executive decision to change the order in which we were hiking, moving me toward the back.  I did much better in this position.  When we arrived at hidden lakes the view was absolutely incredible…breathtaking.  We hiked down to the lake and began our solo assignments.  Sitting on the water’s edge and thinking about life…how much better can it get?! 

The hike back to camp felt much better and filled with many laughs.  When we arrived back at camp we started to work on preparing dinner.  For me it consisted of ramen noodles and mashed potatoes, which is actually soooo good!  I definitely plan to try this again when I am home. We also had a surprise visit from John Sr. and Glenn from the main office that evening.  During group we talked about our solo reflection projects and offered a lot of support to one and other.  After dinner we hiked up and picked more huckleberries.  The day ended with all of us enjoying smores around the campfire.”

 

Day Three-

“We were allowed to sleep in this morning until around nine which was wonderful.  Once everyone was awake we separated into our groups to eat breakfast and complete a motivational activity. Then we set off to Caribou Lake.  About half way there we lost sight of the real trail and ended up having to make our own down to the lake.  It was a fun adventure.  When we reached the lake several of us swam in the water while others picked huckleberries or rested.  Our leaders, John Jr. , Carl, and Jessi, fished while we had our alone time to work on our personal assignments.  They caught five fish. 

 

 

Once we arrived back to our campsite we cooked our regular dinner along with the special treat of the fish caught earlier that day.  They were wonderful.  We then were able to hike up to lookout tower on West Fork Mountain.  This is about a mile hike up the mountain.  It was breathtaking.  Once we arrived back to camp we fell quickly into our tents and fast asleep.  It was a day full of experiences that I will never forget.”

 

Day Four-

“Today has been a whirlwind of emotions to say the least.  The day started off with us sleeping in (which was amazing) and then eating breakfast.  Afterwards we packed up camp which was a little sad for some of us because of all of the amazing experiences and beauty of West Fork Lake.  About two hours later, we began our assent to the tower which was incredible.  The hike was nice and slightly challenging.  Looking back over the last week and the various struggles endured on the hikes, it is amazing to see the growth and confidence within all of the girls throughout the trip.   The views were so amazing. 

We hiked back to the cars in record time probably one hour and forty-five minutes.  Then we headed to our next site.  We arrived at a beautiful river and waterfall that was gorgeous.  Tomorrow we will head back to the school.  I am so thankful to have been part of this incredible experience.  These are memories I will keep with me forever.  I can’t wait to take a nice hot shower. J”

 

 

 

Day Five-

“On our last day of venturing, we packed up our tents in the morning and a few of us were picked to have a special pancake breakfast. Then after breakfast we drove back to the office and washed up the best we could and headed to Pizza Hut for lunch. We gorged down four supreme pizzas. Then we headed down for a long day on Lake Ponderay. We drove the Baisden's yacht out to some cliffs and swam and washed our hair in the lake. It felt really good to finally get our hair clean. We jumped off the 20-50 foot cliffs and went swimming in the middle of the lake. We had a lot of good food and drinks and had so much fun! Then to end the day, we piled into the Hydra Steakhouse in Sandpoint, Idaho. We had burgers, pasta, and chicken. It was a delicious meal. But by far, one of the best parts of the night was a midnight ice cream and a fun car ride back.”

Quinns Hot Springs Service Project

~Casey E.

"On April 9th of 2012, Krys S. and Jessi G. took seven girls to the Quinns Hot Springs in Paradise, MT.  It was an amazing experience.  We were able to relax in the hot springs, ate amazing meals, participated in awesome group sessions, and best of all, had the opportunity to serve the local community.

As a group, we went to the springs where you can get fresh delicious water and picked up all of the garbage.  Then, we planted many pretty flowers around the springs to help maintain and make it look beautiful.  It was truly a great experience to go out and give back to the community."

 

~Emily O.

"During the four and a half hour car ride we were able to see so many amazing wildlife.  The first experience was literally out our backdoor.  As we were getting ready to depart from the girls' house, there was a lynx walking through the property.  It was an amazing experience.  We then saw a moose and her calf, painted turtles, and bighorn sheep.  I am so thankful to have been able to participate in this incredible opportunity to experience the Hot Springs and wildlife while serving our community. Going to the Quinns is an adventure I will never forget!"

Mountain Bike Ride

Written by Jacob D.~

"I have been able to go on two bike rides since being here at TWAI. 

The first ride was really fun!  We rode our bikes five miles to the mountain lake.  When we arrived at the lake we swam and played Capture the Flag in the woods.  We also relaxed and talked around the campfire.

 

 

The second bike ride was also a blast!  We rode along the road until we came to a logging road.  It was a difficult ride on this road--it was all uphill.  Then we reached a changing point as the road turned downhill.  This was so much fun!  It felt literally as though I was flying!  We were going so fast down this hill.  I love biking trips here at TWAI!"

Venturing Trip to Hells Canyon-April 2012

In April of this year, a group of students ventured to the beautiful area of Hells Canyon in southern Idaho.  Below is one student's reflection on the experience:

"Hells Canyon venturing trip was one of my favorite venturing trips here at TWAI!  Before I went on this trip I had heard a lot about tics, snakes, and mountain lions, and man, was I scared about it all!  But it was very fun and nothing scary happened.

The first day of our hike we had traveled 5 miles with heavy packs filled with everything we needed for the week straped on our backs.  Some of the hills were so steep I thought I would fall over, and it hurt, it hurt bad.  My knees were crumbling, my back hurt, and I was sweating oceans.  So bad that at times I couldn't even see, but it was super fun.  Eventually, it dawned on me that I had to use my mind also, instead of relying only on my body---this makes a good quote, eh?! :) Once I came to this realization the next day I was the leader of the pack.  I found myself always walking ahead of everyone else.  We hiked all day; my favorite one was a Suicide Point.  The trail was running super high and I was dangling above the edge of...well, let us just exaggerate and say it was so high I thought the clouds were sheep until I realized they were clouds.  It was beautiful and heavenly.  It was a golden godly expereince. 

On the hike back to our trucks we had to hike the same way we came in, which was easier since we had already done it once before.  On the way back to the school it was a blast.  We went to a buffet where everyone enjoyed chosing all of their favorite foods.  The dessert bar was my favorite spot.
 

The memories made on this trip will last me a lifetime.  I will tell the stories of my adventure for years to come.  I am grateful to have had this opportunity, as I loved it so much!"

~James W.

Students Receive High School Diplomas

"This May represents a milestone in the lives of many students at Turning Winds because of the accomplishment they have achieved in anticipation of the completion of a high school diploma.

 

The greatest challenge in life each of us faces is the management of our own selves, not others. For if we can control our own actions, speech, thoughts, and ideas, we have the potential to be available to others and to learn from them. Earning a high school diploma represents one of the major steps in this life long challenge of personal attainment.

 

It is with much appreciation I present to you

 the following students: 
Ryan A.

Evan R.

Kevin I.

Robert W.

Abigail S.

Stefan B.

Logan W.

Austin R.

Alex S.

I am proud of your accomplishments and you have a right to be proud of yourselves. I encourage you to take the discipline, work ethic, and structure of a daily routine with you into your future. Know that every great accomplishment comes with sacrifice. Self indulgence has no good end because it is never satisfied. Seek truth, do good acts, and live well. "

Janet Hanson

Academic Director
Turning Winds Academic Institute

Turning Winds Academic Institute Sponsors Tim Tebow Event

 On March 07, 2012, John Baisden invited a group of students and a teacher from Turning Winds Academic Institute to attend a fundraiser hosted by Stillwater Christian School. The theme for the event was, “For such a Time as This, an Evening with Tim Tebow.” What a wonderful opportunity this was to visit with, and listen to Tim Tebow discuss overcoming adversity in his life and instilling hope, faith and perseverance while speaking to a crowd of over 2000 people in Kalispell, MT. 

 Along with tickets to attend the event, I was given a single pass that afforded the opportunity for someone to have a personal conversation and photo shoot with Tim Tebow. I decided to give that opportunity to our only eighteen year old student, Logan W. I hope that that event made a profound impact upon Logan as well as the rest of the students. Those in attendance from our school were Logan W., Brian S., Matt M., Kevin I. and Steve K. Also, in attendance was our longest standing teacher (nine years) at TWAI, Scott Bertsch.  

 One of the great stories that Tim Tebow shared with us surrounded the events of the BCS National Championship when Florida beat out Oklahoma 24-14. Coach Meyer set the tone that football season with the mentality of not winning the BCS National Championship but, instead he had preached all season to his team that they needed to “finish strong” in everything that they did both on and off the field. When Tim Tebow had just scored another touchdown to put Florida up by ten points, he knew that he had sealed the deal and that they would win the national championship. As Tim walked off the field, Coach Meyer walked over to him as he took off his headset. He grabbed Tim, hugged him and said, “You finished strong, I love you and I am proud of you!”

That is what we hope for with every student that is enrolled in TWAI.  That when they have completed their stay at our school, they are received by a parent, grandparent or guardian and are able to say as Coach Meyer conveyed to Tim Tebow, “You finished strong, I love you and I am proud of you!”  Let us all be a little better in our lives that we may be an instrument for good and finish strong!

Fun in the Snow....

In February, a group of young men from Turning Winds Academic Institute hiked out to the Upper Ford cabin in Yaak, Montana.  There were many first time experiences during the trip as many of the students at Turning Winds Academic Institute have never experienced snowfall like this in their young lives.

The students enjoyed sledding, snowshoeing, and even built an igloo out of snow.  Many team building exercises were played each evening as well.  Below are two of the student’s reflections on the trip:

 

From the pen of Ryan A.:

“The venturing trip was a lot of fun but also very educating.  Along with the fun we had the trip also taught me so much about myself and reassured me on the progress I have made while being at Turning Winds Academic Institute.  We were given a lot of freedom compared to our everyday life at the school.  There were many chances to make the right or wrong choice throughout the trip and I made all the right choices.  In some situations I was in, I would have made the wrong choice before coming to Turning Winds Academic Institute.  It was nice to know I was trusted and it was even nicer to know that when I was trusted I was able to make the right choice.  We were also given a ration of food for our lunch throughout the week.  I learned that I have to work on saving things and using my resources wisely.  Although it was just food this time, I know now that in the real world it could be money and if I don’t spend it wisely I might not be able to pay my bills.  I understand that this could then lead to whole mess of other problems.  All in all it was a great trip with lots of fun and good lessons.  I feel as though I learned so many valuable lessons on this trip while also being given a great opportunity to reflect on the progress I have made while being here at Turning Winds Academic Institute.”

 

From the pen of Brian S.:

“A couple of weeks ago I went a super venturing.  This was a huge privilege for me because super venturing is usually for graduates only.  I was given the opportunity to attend because of my good performance in the program thus far.

We went to a cabin that was a few miles outside of Yaak for a week.  There was no electricity or running water, so we had to boil our water or filter it. 

There were a lot of activities we participated in.  One day we went snowshoeing up in the mountains.  It was fun going through the deep snow.  We also went sledding one of the days.  We made ramps and found anyway we could to gain speed. 

We had a lot of freedom during venturing, and it was a great opportunity for me to see how I would handle freedom at home.  I am proud of myself that I continued to make good choices and did not abuse the freedom I was given. “