Neither Snow nor Rain nor Sleet Stops Adventure
Activities
Winter
is here and our outdoor adventure activities are changing accordingly. In November, students are taking part in our first challenge course activity
at Camp Namanu. The course
includes low and high ropes courses
and a climbing wall. The activities require a combination of trust, support,
and teamwork from participants and are designed to foster self-discovery and confidence
while developing communications skills. The students will also be horseback
riding this winter, taking part in service work, and experiencing a Inipi sweat
lodge ceremony in the Lakota tradition. We will also be preparing for
cross country skiing in the Umatilla
National Forest.
Celebrating Another Bird Leaving the
Nest
By Program
Director Tina Hendrickson, MSW
The entire Santiam
Crossing community, several friends from the Jefferson AA meeting, and five
alumni joined us on the campus to celebrate Taj's graduation from our
therapeutic program. His parents and brother were also here to commemorate his accomplishments. Needless to say in was a packed
house in the
big yurt!
The alumni students
each shared insights and words of support for Taj as he prepared to return to
his home community. There were funny stories, heart felt memories, and a song
written and performed by Joe.
These local
alumni traveled with their parents, taking the time to return to our special
place in the woods, to join in this celebration. This is merely one of the many
ways these parents actively support their student and each other in their
ongoing journey of recovery!
Report on Recent Grads
The alumni
students who came for graduation were pleased to share some of their post-Santiam
highlights for the newsletter.
Daley reports that
he has six months of sobriety and is currently enrolled in Portland Community College
in a high school completion program. He gains much of his ongoing support through frequent e-mails with a support group that he developed here at
Santiam.
Joe is
celebrating one year of sobriety and is playing in a
band at local venues. He is attending Crescent Valley
High School and is active
on the ski, rugby and football teams.
Drew is
attending Science and Technology High School and continues to be involved in the drama
program at Jesuit
High School. Drew looked
sharp, upbeat, clean and was wearing a great pair of iridescent blue jeans.
Zoey shared
that she stays in touch with many Santiam graduates. She enjoys the camaraderie
of her extended post-Santiam community. She
is attending Pacific
Crest High
School and recently celebrated 10 months of
sobriety.
Alexa also
returned to campus for the graduation. Supporting her peers with their success,
through attending celebrations at Santiam, has been a big part of her
recovery process. Alexa proudly reports she has had no relapses and is sticking
with the Jonathan Lurie program. She continues to be passionate about dance and
has recently taken up Tae Kwondo.
Into The Wild
As part of an academic
assignment, Tom G. read John Krakauer's "Into the Wild." What
resulted is the following song which he wrote and performed. The performance
included guitar and harmonica music. He has also written a paper about his
reflections on the book and how he relates to the main character.
I am at a loss of words
For I don't understand his
genius
There once was a man
who traveled pretty far
when times got rough and
things got muddy
he abandoned his car
dropped 24 into some fund
and burned the rest of his
cash
modern day society this man
could not last
I wrote this song in honor
of Chris McCandless
modern day society
constraints
this man he could stand this
well society can lead
to depression sometimes
deny the ones that love you
tell them that you're traveling
alone
and you'll be fine
even if she writes you a song
she's just too young
so you break her heart
then its time to move on (2 times)
AND REACH FOR YOUR GOAL (2 times)
Go and reach for your
Goals.
He just left the ones he
loved
there ain't no comfort back
there
but he had no clue how much
they hurt
he thought he needed none of
them
nor the logo on his t-shirt
a leather tramp
no a super tramp well needed
many of them asked him to
stay
much of them even pleaded
they knew this man was
something special
they knew this man was going
to make history
now he is dead beyond the
bush
I guess you can say he made
history
But I am not happy
Till I meet this particular
person
So now I head in the same
direction
I head into the bush
to find my introspection
But a hero doesn't always have
to be perfect
yeah he died but people
learned
so he's worth it
As I head off I promise not
to
make the same mistakes.
Tales from Halloween
By Kirsen Rostad,
MA, Program Director
Students enjoyed a full
day of school and also took time to partake in a sun-filled, warm day of fall
celebration. Nicole from the Trilliums plat planned activities ranging from a
pumpkin-carving contest during afternoon activity time, to mid-morning cupcake
treats, prizes, and movies and popcorn. Leaders from each plat picked two
people to carve a pumpkin. The carving theme was our campus dogs. The Eagle's
plat came in first place with their creative interpretation of teacher Fred
Maxwell's dog Ryder. In the evening five students went in town to AA where Taj
received his nine-month coin. The rest of the students took part in "laugh
therapy" while watching a scary movie.
Coming and Goings
Welcome
to new students:
Sarah F.
Tera M.
Ron H.
Nate R.
Anna E.
Best of luck to:
Taj F.
Vinnie S.
Graduation Song for Taj
by Joe M. ( Alumni, June '07)
Now you are
starting
a new chapter
in
your life
who knew you'd
be
here through
all
of your strife
none of them
think you can
but they will
see
go out and do
something,
do it, you know
you can
be a man
don't be
misguided by society
when you feel
less
or wounded
just think of
me
(refrain)
go out and show
them
that you can
go out and show
them
that you can
go out and be
so strong
minded
and true
go out and be
the
magnificent you
go out and be
the
magnificent you
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