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Most of us living in Canada are surrounded by comfort and security. We have houses that offer us protection from weather, animals and intruders. If we are cold we turn up the furnace, if we are hot we turn on the air conditioner. If it is raining we can move quickly from a building to a vehicle. If we feel pain we take a pill to make it go away. We keep our houses stocked like a grocery store so we never really feel hunger. We have treated water that is safe to drink and available at the opening of a tap. We take this treated water for granted, watering our lawn, garden and washing our cars with it. When it is hot our food is safely stored in freezers and refrigerators taking away the risk of food related illnesses. If we have an accident or are seriously ill we have phones to call for medical professionals who will treat us, quickly take us to the hospital and turn us over to a team of specialists who will take care of our needs. We immunize ourselves to protect us from disease. We surround ourselves with entertainment from the moment we wake with our clock radios until we sleep, often never hearing the sounds of God’s created world. Creation demonstrates the handiwork of God, yet many never leave the pavement, unaware of the rich diversity. Lastly, we ourselves are the most complex and amazing part of His created world and yet we often drive to every location never testing and appreciating the capability of our bodies.
Even though we are dependant on God daily for each breath, we are often lulled into trusting our many comforts and securities instead of God’s hand. Wilderness travel strips away these securities causing us to focus on God directly. It is God who controls the wind, the rain, and lightning storms. When a lightning storm brews on the horizon and we do not have a safe shelter to dive into we must really trust Him who controls the storm. When we must get from one location to another, we are vulnerable to these forces and a seemingly short journey may turn into a much longer one. This means that our grumbling tummies which are used to a regular routine may just have to wait. If we are wet and cold we have to realize that we will again be warm and dry, just not yet, and when we are finally warm and dry we appreciate it immensely. Wilderness travel has a simplicity focusing on the necessities of life, not the comforts. If our food supply ends up at the bottom of a lake or eaten by animals, we may find out for the first time in our lives what it really feels like to be hungry. When our muscles are hurting because they are not used to the work but we are not at our destination, we have to push on, trusting that God will continue to give us strength. We know we cannot give up because we are in the wilderness and it will take effort to get back to the comforts we have learned to enjoy. When a tough journey is finally completed there is a sense of accomplishment, often surprising us what we were capable of. When traveling in a large group such as with SCS we must stay together for safety. This encourages team work as we can only travel as fast as the slowest person and assisting them helps us all reach a common goal. Ridding ourselves of the constant man made noise that surrounds us daily allows us to hear the sounds of God’s created world. Sounds that were always there, but we were not listening.
Does wilderness travel serve a purpose in scripture? There are many examples in scripture where the wilderness experience is useful for spiritual growth. This getting away from the various distractions of the world so one can focus more intently on God is not a new concept. David was prepared in the wilderness as a shepherd boy and later as he hid from King Saul. John the Baptist chose to live a simple life in the wilderness to focus on his task of preparing the way for Christ. God preparing them as his special people led the Israelites into the wilderness and Christ Himself underwent temptation in the wilderness.
So why expose our youth to the hazards and discomforts of wilderness travel? To get them out of their comfort zone, away from the securities and entertainments of the world, developing their trust in God in a new and direct way, thus growing them spiritually.
Written by: Mark Holmstrom
Parents must have an approved Driver Authorization Form signed by the Principal for transporting children other than their own to and from any school authorized event (field trips, sports teams, ski trip, outdoor education activities, etc). Driver Authorization Forms can be obtained at the school office or HERE.
Click HERE for the packing list.
Check back for more information in Spring 2024!
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