For the third time, Lake Jocassee in Devil’s Fork State Park served as a gorgeous backdrop to our Father-Son Trek. The three nights and four days were nowhere near enough time to take in all of the spectacular scenery that Jocassee offers. However, it was the perfect amount of time for some unique father and son bonding.

Day one of our Summer 2015 Father-Son Trek consisted of setting up camp and a crash course in kayaks. There was also a new twist with a friendly game of “Ultimate Wilderness Survival”. We could all feel our survival ratings rise with this new-found knowledge!

Days two and three brought with them a couple of outdoor adventure opportunities. One was paddling through open water to a beautiful white sandy beach for swimming and lunch and the other was a relaxing pontoon ride to natural waterfalls for exploring, swimming and some great fishing. Luckily for us the fish were ready and willing to strike during our stay at Jocassee!

Whether it was laughing around the campfire, soaking up the sun on a warm sandy beach, or paddling a kayak in wide open water, this Father-Son Trek offered us the opportunity to find out what is real and true about ourselves and the world around us. Just ask any father who has taken the time to participate and he will surely tell you that there is just something special about these Father-Son Treks.

The Red Hawks had an off campus adventure to Clemson’s Outdoor Lab last weekend. Trek Counselors Royce and Jesy took them on a high climbing adventure to a wall which was 55 feet high.

“Our main goal was not to die,” Ari said laughing.

“It was really hard, but it was a great workout,” Angel added.

Enjoy the pictures of some of the participants below. Happy climbing!

[cincopa A8OAx9KBZ32H]

From left: Artie, William and David are headed for the coast

The Father & Son Sea Kayaking Adventure is underway!

At about 10:00 this morning Executive Director David LePere, Counseling Department Manager William Carpenter and Therapist Artie Smith – along with students Alex, Alexander, Jake, James, Loucas, Sam, Sam, Tommy and Vincent – began their journey to the Georgia coast. Now, this is not what David, William and Artie are typically up to on a Tuesday morning. But for our first Father and Son Adventure it would be hard to find a more perfect crew!

The boys are looking forward to connecting with their dads tomorrow morning. Together, they will paddle with the tide to Cumberland Island National Seashore where they will spend the next few days camping in a primitive area of the island. This exciting Father & Son Adventure has been months in the making and is sure to garner many “tall tales” and “fish stories.”

More to come…

As we get our fall calendars organized, we have a lot to look forward to! Over the week of October 30th to November 4th we have our next Family Trek, our First Boundaries Boot-Camp and the November Family Seminar – complete with an early Thanksgiving celebration. Whew! Check out the additional info. below:

Fall 2011 Family Trek Details & Boundaries Boot-Camp Details

But wait…there’s more! The 2011 Cherokee Creek Bears soccer schedule is here. See a game you can make? Please contact Alyse or your son’s primary for more details on each game.

Thursday, September 8th at 7:30 PM
Monday, September 12th at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 13th at 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 15th at 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 22nd at 7:30 PM
Monday, September 26th at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 PM
Monday, October 3rd at 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 6th at 7:30 PM

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
Go BEARS!

Last year we were given an incredible gift by an alumni family: 8 fully outfitted whitewater canoes! These are top of the line tandem “Captions”. Often, boys arrive at Cherokee Creek having canoed at summer camp or in a local waterway – in flatwater boats. Whitewater boats take a little getting used to. They are different in a couple of critical ways: they have less surface contact with the water; and they are designed to turn on a dime.

As we teach boys to become whitewater boaters, we start with “boat feel” – getting used to how to sit comfortably and move with the boat instead of working against it. A paddler who stays relaxed and moved with the boat is far less likely to find himself on the “swim team.”

Check out the video below of Sam and Dylan on Lake Hartwell. As they paddle into the sunset they are relaxed, have good momentum and paying attention to the distict feel of a whitewater canoe.

Moving water is next! Stay tuned…

[cincopa A0CAOgKEkxjM]

November 2010 Family Trek participants at Long Creek waterfall on the Chattooga River

Students demonstrate their Martial Arts skills at the Family Seminar

Last week was wonderfully busy here at Cherokee Creek, kicking off with a Family Trek and wrapping up with our final Family Seminar for the year. 

  
Highlights included:   

-Eleven families kayaking, rafting, hiking, working through low-ropes challenges and enjoying some great fellowship on the Family Trek 

Scoutmaster Paul Mathis awards Lake his Boy Scouts of America 50 Miler Award during a Court of Honor ceremony

-Family Seminar sessions including sharing of family stories, multi-family groups, a session just for siblings and discussions about the lessons of the Teacher with our Therapists and Counseling staff.    

-Our annual celebration of Thanksgiving with a great Dillard House feast

-On and off-campus family visits (including a little karaoke…)

Colton and Davis guide their craft

Check out the new Mad River Caption canoes recently donated by an alumni family!

The new boats have already been on the Tuckaseegee, Nantahala and Green rivers of North Carolina.