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< May June 2006
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campWILD BYU outdoor program gives kids confidence through paddling

David is in the awkward giraffe stage of adolescence–legs long and skinny, torso not quite caught up yet. He smiles shyly when I ask him about his favorite CampWILD experience. “Rafting down the Salmon—and I flipped my first pancake!” he says.

CampWILD is run by the Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development Foundation, a non-profit for kids who are socially insecure, academically challenged, in economic need, suffering from poor self-esteem or a learning disability, or have undergone abuse. “These kids are ‘at risk of becoming at-risk,’” explains CampWILD co-founder Verle Duerden.

The camp is located in Shoup, Idaho, and is run in conjunction with Brigham Young University’s outdoor recreation department, which is researching the impact of outdoor recreation on self-confidence. “When people have an overwhelming mastery experience, they finish and think, ‘Wow, now I can do anything,’” says BYU professor of recreation management Mark Widmer.

During the two-week sessions, the 24 campers sample whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Main Salmon, as well as backpacking, mountain biking, survival skills and fly fishing. The activities are designed to foster teamwork and core values such as respect, integrity, kindness and gratitude. The paddling portion is conducted under the close supervision of licensed guides, giving the campers the opportunity to guide the boats themselves. Counselors are volunteer university students, with a ratio of two counselors for every three campers.

Thanks to donations, campers pay just $25 to attend the camp. “We want all kids who need to be here to be able to come, regardless of economic need,” says Stacy Taniguchi, a BYU professor and cofounder of the program.

On the last night of CampWILD, campers join in with their “coaches” for a rousing rendition of the camp song around the campfire. Awards are handed out, and boys launch into a steady stream of personal testimonials. “I love how we were always encouraged to do stuff,” says Andrew. “Before I came here, I knew nothing about some of the things we did,” adds Chandler. Then Sam, an intense, athletic, typically quiet boy stands up. His words bring applause and more than one tear to counselors’ eyes: “I just want to say I love you all–CampWILD rocks!” Info: (800) 453-1482.

—Irene Middleman Thomas