Testimonials from Past Participants and Parents

Each year four participants from the prior year come back to act as peer counselors - taking the learning a step further. One former participant is chosen each year to assist the facilitator. Once they turn 18, past participants can come back as staff counselors. Acting as mentors for a new group students brings the lessons full circle.

"You had to communicate with each other or someone would fall. I learned to trust people more - not to judge them by the way they look."
--Jasmine Marquez

"Dusty came home with more knowledge, but more importantly, an attitude of confidence that surprised us. The impact of a program such as this cannot be measured. It has affected Dusty's life in so many ways. Naturally, as an educational experience, it enhanced his normal school curriculum. But as a leadership and confidence-building experience, this program is without peer. Please keep up the good work."
--Chuck & Chris Lanci, parents

"There's more life in the river than I thought...to respect it and keep it there. I learned to trust people from different places and to work with them and talk with them."

--Jessica Boyden, Leadville

We had to work together on everything we did - we had to communicate with each other about problems and how to solve them."
--Becky Brown, Glenwood Springs

"I learned to believe in myself more and that I can do more that I thought I could. I learned to push my limits."
--James Massey, Rifle

For more information, click on the arrow to the right or call First Ascent at (970) 947-8357.