To me, being a good paddler means being willing to learn and grow. It means learning from other people, being open to different perspectives, and always working toward becoming better. I also think being curious is important because there is always something new to learn. TC reminded me that growth does not happen from always getting things right. Sometimes you have to try, make mistakes, learn from others, and keep going.

I’m always sad when summer ends and programming starts winding down, but I look forward to next season and all of the adventure it’ll bring.

CAT has shown me that it doesn’t take much to show people a good time/get them out of their comfort zone in a way that is beneficial to them. But, this organization hasn’t only been good for the participants, it has also been good for the staff.

This internship exposed me to so many new people and places all while having fun and making the world a better place for everyone.

I find that I have more time to talk with the participants about how they are feeling and give better advice because I am more focused on them and less on myself.

Yes, I struggled a little, but I’m glad to know that when I’m struggling, my team has my back which I’m really grateful for. 

One thing that I noticed is that success looks different for different people. Even if I am not the best climber, I can still define my success as being supportive and encouraging.

It was definitely challenging, but it was a great experience and a reminder that growth often comes from trying something new.

While my week may not be filled with the joy and excitement of our programming, I want you to know that what happens behind the scenes is just as vital. I enjoy ensuring our organization runs smoothly and sharing these updates with you, even if they're not as glamorous as the programming you look forward to!

This is not a race about speed and fitness, with one winner. Because when we come together as a city to say enough is enough and that we care, everyone wins.

Seeing the kids encourage each other, be creative, and build confidence reminded me why CAT’s work is so impactful and why creating spaces like this for young people matters so much.

Having the chance to continue trying new things and working to make them better, different, or exactly what people need is amazing and not something that happens in every program to the extent that we do it. 

But most of all we learned about the power outdoor sports have to connect people and help them grow. We started out this trip as strangers, but as one participant said “Where else can such a diverse group of people become friends in two days?”

Having to pivot and think on your feet, while stressful, is one of my favorite things about this job.

Sometimes social justice centered work feels never ending, and in a way it can be, but being able to educate more people and know that new people are always joining the fight fuels me with hope for our future. What we can do together is always going to be more impactful than what we can do alone.

It’s one of my favorite parts of teaching outdoor skills, seeing that A-ha moment for people, especially little humans.

Recently I attended Quiet Adventure for the first time. What I really liked was how personal it felt. Instead of just being a symposium, it felt like a real community where people were connecting in genuine ways.

The point I was trying to make is that getting into adventure sports is not always easy, especially for folks who aren’t exposed to theses sports (for many reasons) at a young age.

I look forward to after-school every week because it's refreshing to know that I somehow contribute to teaching our young people outdoor skills.

Teaching these lessons has helped me grow as a leader, mentor, and communicator, and has reinforced the importance of patience, creativity, and clear instruction when guiding others through new challenges.