Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
We made it to Florissant, y’all! 🤠
We’re so thrilled to have our crew of 15 amazing and bright youth join us here in Colorado. It’ll be full days coming up: leadership skill building, earning their Wilderness Advanced First Aid via the professional team from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), rock climbing/repelling, and of course give-back time to support our home for the next few days, The Nature Place. Jenny and I (both multi-year staff alum) have been prepping some great activities to support our youth’s personal growth and development and are excited to get to know our crew better!
From here on out, our Leaders Of The Day will take on the responsibility of writing and updating our blog, so stay tuned for new entries about our sweet adventures.
In the Spirit of Adventure,
Diana and Jenny
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Today we started off our WAFA course by learning how to do a patient assessment. We learned the five steps to “size up a scene”. Then we headed outside to turn our knowledge into action. After a full stomach of chicken wings and mac and cheese for lunch, we walked back to the classroom to learn vital signs and how to determine levels of responsiveness(LOR). In the afternoon it was even more intensive increasing our knowledge about spinal injuries and how they play a role in the level of evacuation. It was a super fun and busy day! Can’t wait for day 2!
By Emily and Ruth
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Today, we began class observing a scenario that recapped the Patient Assessment System, as well as other previously learned procedures. Afterwards, we began learning new information focusing on Spine Assessment, head injuries, wounds, fractures, and dislocations. Our favorite part of the day was when we got to play patients in a head injury scenario and spit out a fake tooth (which was really just a tictac, so don’t be alarmed.)
We got to act disoriented and wear fake blood on our heads and in our mouths. It actually felt real to the “First Aid Responders” (the students), and we both feel like everyone learned a lot and are progressing through the procedures more confidently. At the end of the day, we got to celebrate our leaders birthday with a little surprise: a card we all contribute to and a red velvet cupcake! Shoutout to the amazing cooking staff!! We all love them.
Leaders Of The Day: Jackson and Megan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
We started our day with a delicious breakfast and then got right to work. Right when we got there we jumped into a simulation to show how you would handle a dislocated patella. We then went deep into local cold injuries and altitude sickness (which was very helpful for a lot of us). We broke for lunch and when we came back we got to run a snake bite simulation with a completely unresponsive patient. We had the opportunity to practice all of our fundamental skills. We then ended our day in the game room with fun leadership activity and studies up for another day in the classroom.
– Audrey and Caden
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
¡Cuatro de Julio!
Happy 4th of July! Waking up to Chef Terry whipping up breakfast in the Main Lodge is always something to look forward to. After breakfast, we head to our WAFA course, where we learn about CPR, allergies, toxins and multiple other things. Later in the day, after the conclusion of the WAFA course, Jake and Leo hosted a talent show. From Josh’s original song, to Megan standing on one leg, Jenny took it home with an act demonstrating extraordinary balance. It being the Fourth of July, we had to celebrate with a “bonfire” and a competitive game of Jeopardy to prepare us for our upcoming exam. After the s’mores had been eaten and the Jeopardy game ending in a nail-biting tie, we headed back to our cabins to study before getting some rest for test day tomorrow.
– Leo and Jake
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Haiku about Test Day
By Sachi
Woke up to study
Stressed about taking the test
Heart beats fast at rest
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Due to weather we went bowling, played at an arcade, and dominated in laser tag. We then went to the Manitou Anasazi Cliff Dwellings! The van rides to and from home base were super fun dance parties with pop-music a-blasting!
Upon return to home base we engaged in a lovely debate-based activity in which groups represented different facets of Colorado health care and tried to figure out common goals to work together with in order to serve the most amount of people while working with a tight budget.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
For our last day we went on a hike and rock climbed. We hiked about 3 miles to the rock wall. Along the way we saw horses roaming about and tons of horse poop which made the hike more like a land mine. Although the hike was not too difficult, the altitude had most of us huffin’ and puffin’ but we all made it! After making it to the rock wall we had a quick lesson on how to properly put on our harnesses and helmets, how to belay, and other ways to support our fellow climbers. It was quite the teamwork effort! When it was time to go back to base, we we’re a little grumpy about having to hike all the way back, but luckily the weather worked in our favor and we got to ride in the vans.
To wrap up our day and our trip, we participated in an super fun gratitude activity. We all laid down in a circle with our eyes closed, three people were chosen to stand up as Jenny read sentences that described good qualities. If those people believed one of us showed that quality they would tap that person on the foot. It brightened all of our days to see all the good things our peers thought about us. Next was another amazing meal by chef Terry: chicken and spaghetti bolognese. To end the night we had a guest speaker. He was a local physician who specialized in family medicine and also volunteered at the local search and rescue unit. He spoke to us about his experiences as a doctor, his journey through med school, and about the mental and physical toll of working in search and rescue. After that we were sent to our rooms to pack 🙁 This was an amazing trip, but unfortunately it is time to say goodbye.
We will all miss each other and remember the good times forever!
-Kamryn and Catalina
