F.A.C.E.S. helps teens learn to face challenges

^ Students and leaders from session 1 of FACES in 2012 on the continental divide west of Castle Mountain. After gaining the summit of this ridge the students take time to reflect on where they have come from in their lives and where they choose to go in their future.   Submitted photos.

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Challenges.  You face them every day whether you are a child, adult, working, or schooling.  Learning how to face them with grace, integrity  and fortitude is a learned process.  Facilitating Awareness and Character Building Experiences for Students (F.A.C.E.S.) offer a 12 day extreme adventure camp centered out of Camp Impeesa out close to Beaver Mines Alberta.  The camp is for students in grade 9 going into grade 10 to help them learn that facing fears, facing challenges, and facing themselves is all part of facing life.

This year F.A.C.E.S. will be taking four sessions of 34 students plus student and adult leaders to go rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, white water rafting, mountain climbing, hiking and camping. It is meant to challenge the students physically and test their boundaries while in a controlled supervised environment.   They work on interpersonal skills and self awareness as part of the program.

"I'm honoured to be involved.  What these kids get out of it  helps them for the rest of their lives," said Leader Eliza Gross, who has been with the program for four years.

"The program's been going for 13 years," said Gross.  The program started with 6 students.  This year the program will host 136 students, mostly from the Livingstone Range School Division, and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division although there are kids coming from as far away as Edmonton to join the program.  Students that go to this camp gain high school credits with the support of the school divisions.

"It taught me a lot of confidence," said past F.A.C.E.S. participant, Tessa Pitt.  "I have nothing but good things to say about it."

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