Tomorrow (Monday) everyone begins their jobs, thus ending orientation week and beginning the real part of the Service Adventure term. While orientation week included plenty of business related sessions such as setting up household routines, learning components, worship nights, it was also a time for everyone to get to know each other better. What better way to get to know each other than to go on a three-day backpacking trip along one of West Virginia's picturesque river valleys.
The group at Otter Creek ready to go!
We packed up tents, clothing and food for three days and drove south of Philippi an hour or so to the Otter Creek Wilderness area of the Monongahela National Forest. We hiked together along the river, mostly downhill, with an occasional detour around a washed out part of our trail. There were several occasions where we crossed the river, or stopped for a swim in it. We cooked our meals over a small portable cook stove, cleaned our dishes in the river, and worked together to collect firewood. We also had plenty of time to sit around and talk, share stories with each other, and swim or wade in the river. It was equally challenging and fun for everyone. Enjoy some of the pictures from our trip and a short video.
Taking a break before crossing the river
Carefully crossing the river with those heavy backpacks!
The 2011-12 Philippi Service Adventure unit has begun! All participants arrived throughout the day on Friday, August 12. Four of the five flew this year, and only one person had luggage delayed. Unfortunately, that person was our first-time flying German participant, Ben. He was reunited with his luggage on Sunday so you see him sporting a borrowed West Virginia University t-shirt in the group photo below. He received many compliments on his quick adaptation to his new home while at church on Sunday :)
2011-12 Philippi Service Adventure Unit
Front:Renee Hostetler, Abby Schrag, Ben Reim, Micah Yoder
Back: Allison Shetler, Heidi & Ella McHugh, Mike & Ian McHugh
Everyone is adapting well to their new house, roommates, and community. We have had a busy couple days of orientation so far, including visiting a few work placements today. They are beginning to get excited to start work in one week, but before then will continue to have orientation sessions and conclude the week with a backpacking trip that our guide (Jair Drooger, resident and former Philippi SA leader) promises to be a beautiful and exciting adventure! We hope you'll follow all our updates this year!
We packed up tents, clothing and food for three days and drove south of Philippi an hour or so to the Otter Creek Wilderness area of the Monongahela National Forest. We hiked together along the river, mostly downhill, with an occasional detour around a washed out part of our trail. There were several occasions where we crossed the river, or stopped for a swim in it. We cooked our meals over a small portable cook stove, cleaned our dishes in the river, and worked together to collect firewood. We also had plenty of time to sit around and talk, share stories with each other, and swim or wade in the river. It was equally challenging and fun for everyone. Enjoy some of the pictures from our trip and a short video.
