Sue–
My name is Pat Verducci and my ten year old son Henry went on the Sequoyah School campout a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been meaning to write you and let you know how impressed I was with your guides. Henry got halfway up the rock and I could tell he was freaked. He turned around and told Sky he wanted to come down. Very gently, Sky said, “Try putting your right foot on that ledge over there. If you still want to come down, no problem, I’ll get you right down.” Henry put his foot on the ledge and ended up gutting his way to the top. It took him twenty five minutes. Each step was hard fought. Later, when he was lowered and his feet hit dirt, his eyes filled with tears– he was overwhelmed by what he’d just done. Sky’s gentle suggestion allowed him to push through his fear, and keep moving..
Similarly, Markus was very supportive of the parents (including me) who decided to try. I had a similar reaction to Henry’s– and was walking around on cloud nine for a couple of days afterward.
I just wanted to let you know how powerful our day at Joshua Tree was. Sky said, “The rock is a mirror we all have to look into.” Indeed. I’ll never forget it.
Pat
