The Leading Edge

The Official Blog of Higher Ground, USA

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An Open Letter to Students of FBC, Pensacola

November 3rd, 2011 · Uncategorized

By now I trust it’s safe to assume that everyone has heard the recent news that Brad Gowing is heading to Birmingham. (If this is the first you’ve heard of it, then you need to be a little more plugged in.) On the eve of Brad’s departure I thought I’d share a few thoughts on the matter, from Higher Ground’s point of view.

GOD WILL PROVIDE THE NEXT LEADER…
1. As difficult as it is to see Brad move on, there will be a “next” leader. Scripture is filled with examples of God providing continuity in leadership. As much as He is leading Brad to a new area of work, He’s also leading the next student minister to FBCP. While no one will ever take B-rad’s place, God will provide someone to come in and fill the position left vacant in Brad’s departure. When he arrives let him lead as God directs, avoid the tendency to make comparisons, and commit to digging in and working alongside him.

YOU’VE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS FOR YEARS…
2. For several years Higher Ground has had the privilege to be a part of developing student leaders at FBCP.  We’ve seen firsthand your potential and ability to lead.  We’ve experienced with you lessons in perseverance, working together, and trusting God.  We’ve watched as you learned that leadership takes place in the trenches, and requires hard work and a servant’s heart.  We encourage you to put these lessons to work, and embrace this opportunity to lead.  It will, of course, be challenging, and require sacrifice…but so it is with all worthwhile endeavors.

IT WAS NEVER BRAD’S TO BEGIN WITH…
3. Brad has always maintained that the student ministry of FBCP does not belong to him, but in fact to you the students. His departure allows you the opportunity to live this reality to the fullest. In a moment of providential foreshadowing, God used an illness to remove Brad from a portion of this year’s Leadership Retreat. The result was that several students, who may have otherwise been content to play the role of spectator, stepped up and fulfilled various leadership needs. As Brad moves on, there will again be needs that must be met. Remember that this is your student ministry, so look for opportunities to serve and encourage those around you to do the same. Trust fully in God, be willing to be stretched, seize the chance to be a part of leading the student ministry in this time of transition.

Brad, no doubt, did an excellent job fulfilling his responsibilities as a student minister. However the true test of his work at FBCP will be determined by what you do after he is gone.  We look forward to watching you rise to occasion.

"B-Rad" in Action at the Rap Site

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Summer 2011…and A Lesson in Leadership

October 20th, 2011 · Higher Ground USA, Hiking/Backpacking, Uncategorized

Sun sets on Summer 2011... Silers Bald

The heat of summer is finally losing its grip on the foothills of Northwest Georgia, signaling the end of the 2011 “busy” season.  We hit the ground running in mid April and didn’t let up until late last month.  Whether training a group of leaders, instructing in the backcountry, leading at the crag, or facilitating in the trees…we loved every minute of it.  A sincere “thank you” for all of you who joined us on an adventure this summer.  I could promise a series of blogs recounting the highlights of each trip, but you and I both know I’d never post more than two or three entries.  Instead, let me share with you one of my favorite teachable moments from this past season.

It was early August, deep in the Cohutta Wilderness at a picturesque campsite along the Jacks River.  Though the temperatures were mild for this time of year, everyone was eager to spend some time at the river’s edge after putting in a solid day of backpacking.  After settling on a campsite, we quickly reviewed the list of chores that needed to be completed in order to be prepared for the evening.  Some tasks, like setting up tents, unpacking, and changing clothes, were very clearly centered on personal care.  Others, such as collecting water, setting up group tarps, and rigging the bear hang, were focused on meeting the needs of the group as a whole.  The group quickly sprung to action tending to their personal needs, but lost steam when it came to taking responsibility for the group tasks.  With the exception of two students (both Higher Ground Alumni), the group became distracted by the lure of the river and left the group’s needs to be either a.) cared for by another member of the group, or b.) put off until later.

During evening meeting, in a debrief of leadership and the day’s events, the above scenario was brought up for discussion.  The students, in an act of self-evaluation, offered the following insights on leadership.  Being a leader is easiest when there is crisis, the leader benefits directly, it costs nothing, or “you’re being recognized.”  They discoverd practicing leadership is most difficult when it costs something, no one notices, the task is seemingly mundane, or “you’re just beat.”  They added, that consistency is one of the most difficult aspects of leadership to master. Rising to the occasion to lead from time to time is manageable, but practicing leadership daily…on a consistent basis…is much more challenging.

Kudos to a group of high school students for learning more about leadership in one evening, than many people ever figure out in a lifetime.

“True leadership is a willingness to rise to the bottom.”  - Glen Schultz

Along the Jacks River

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Don’t Drink the Water

April 23rd, 2011 · Hiking/Backpacking

If you spend much time in “outdoorsy” circles the topic of water purification will eventually come up. It usually starts with someone mentioning the latest water treatment gadget, touting its technical specs and ease of use. Next someone will go old school, and suggest that none of those new-fangled inventions are any better than whatever cheap, lightweight, easy-to-use technique was used 20 years ago. Finally, the trump card gets thrown. After pretending he wasn’t listening at all, Mister Granola himself chimes in and mentions that he never treats his water.  Furthermore he offers that he’s come through all of his backcountry adventures unscathed, and that the dangers of water contamination are grossly exaggerated myths perpetuated by “the man” in an attempt to sell more product.

So where does that leave us?  Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words…

Bovine Water Contamination

To be safe, I always treat my water.

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Taking Some Initiative

February 23rd, 2011 · Hiking/Backpacking, News Articles

We love a good challenge, it’s great for the soul.  Late last year one of our instructors gave me a head’s up about a young man who was in the final stages of preparation for a challenge he was to begin at the start of this year.

Samuel Gardner is 53 days into his “All-In Trek,” which has him completing non-stop thru hikes of four of the country’s longest trails.  The trails, in order, are the North Country Trail (4600 mi), Pacific Crest Trail (2650 mi), Continental Divide Trail (3100 mi), and Appalachian Trail (2178 mi). . . for a total of roughly 12,500 miles.  Samuel’s original goal was to complete the trek in an ambitious 12 months, but injuries early on have forced him to revise his goal.  You can follow Samuel’s progress on the “Journal” page of his website (www.theinitiativesite.com), which he updates from the trail. 

Recent blogposts detailing Samuel’s trek have resulted in mixed reviews by readers.  Some applaud Samuel’s ambition while others discount his undertaking as unimpressive, and criticize the publicity of one who’s yet to prove himself in the world of long-distance hiking. 

While some of the naysayers make valid arguments in regard to Samuel’s lack of long-distance hiking experience, I’m reminded of a quote by Theodore Roosevelt. 

“It’s not the critic who counts.  Not the man who points out where the strong man stumbled or where the doers of great deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena.  Whose faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood.  Who strive valiantly, who err and come up short again and again.  And who, while daring greatly, spend themselves in a worthy cause so that their place may not be among those cold and timid souls who neither victory or defeat.”

Congrats to Samuel for being in the arena.  We look forward to keeping up with him along his journey.

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Summer 2010 – Climbing & Rappelling

December 1st, 2010 · Higher Ground USA, Rock Climbing, Uncategorized

Don’t tell anyone this, but as the founders contemplated the specifics of Higher Ground, one of them was hesitant for the organization to run single day programs.  Convinced that multi-day programs offered participants the best chance for learning and transformation, he was ready to forgo the opportunity to work with the multitude of people for whom a single day program was perfect.  What an idiot! 

Literally hunderds of folks  joined us this year for single day climbing or rappelling programs.  Repeatedly, they demonstrated that those “ah-ha” moments which we long for are accessible to the day-user, as well as the multi-day adventurer.  At the start of one climbing trip in July, a group of girls was challenged to look for life lessons that could be taken from their day on the rock.  Midway through the program Lisa approached a Higher Ground instructor and relayed a lesson that had just unfolded on a particularly challenging climb.

Despite repeated attempts, fierce determination, and encouragement from friends below, Lisa could not complete the climb.  She could stem her way up the angled start easily enough, and had little trouble on the rock face, but time and again the awkward and slightly overhanging corner denied her completion of the route.   Eventually she relented and asked to be lowered to the ground.  Afterward, she sat quietly at the base of the climb, contemplating the preceding events.

As she shared the story with the instructor she acknowledged that she had known little failure to this point in her life.  Most obstacles she’d encountered had been easily conquered, or had been overcome with second chances and encouragment from a strong support system.  But not this time.  No amount of effort, encouragment, or instruction had enabled her to complete the climb.  She wasn’t entirely comfortable with this newfound experience called failure, but she admitted that as she transitioned from high school to college it was something she was likely to taste again.

Lisa’s experience climbing that day led her to begin exploring the idea of failure.  She discovered that pushing her limits will require her to deal with failure in some way or another.  At times she will be forced to come to terms with it, in other instances it may help her redefine success, one thing is clear though . . . Lisa has grasped the importance of learning from it.  Nice job Lisa.

Post-Climbing Group Shot

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And the Winner is…

November 18th, 2010 · Gear Envy, Higher Ground USA

We were feeling generous at the last minute and decided to select TWO winners!  We’re very pleased to announce that the winners of the first ever Higher Ground USA Facebook contest are Brad Hankins and Chandler Moore.  Congratulations to both of you, your t-shirt and mug will be on the way shortly.

Thanks to everyone who entered.  Stay tuned for your next chance to win!

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Summer 2010 – Camp Staff Training

November 16th, 2010 · Challenge Course, Higher Ground USA

Each year we have the privilege of starting our summer by helping some of our favorite clients prepare for theirs.  This May we conducted both technical trainings and an all-staff training to help prepare counselors for the summer ahead.  Technical challenge course trainings were held at both Alpine Camp for Boys and Camp Laney, with an additional Leadership & Teambuilding training being conducted for all of Alpine’s summer counselors.

Ben Zoogles on the Catwalk

 The challenge course trainings each consisted of an intense week of all things ropes course.  Counselors learned to lead games and low ropes activities, mastered knots and technical aspects of high ropes, and got to swing, zip, and leap off of elements time and time again.  During Alpine’s training  we came across an obscure challenge course artifact from days gone by.  An object that certainly changed the trajectory of the week, and may well make a  lasting impression on our organization as a whole…The Zoogle Stick.  Stay tuned for developments on the Zoogle front.                                                                      

Little River Raft Race

  A few days after completing challenge course training at Alpine, some seventy-five counselors descended on camp for staff orientation.  We were honored to play a role in what one director called, “the two most important days of the summer.”  Working in conjunction with Alpine we developed a two day leadership and teambuilding program to kickstart Alpine’s staff orientation.  Counselors built lasting relationships, discovered strengths, and began to work as a team while negotiating a variety of challenges involving everything from mousetraps to cardboard boats. 

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Put a little advertising in your playlist.

August 20th, 2010 · Music of Adventure, Uncategorized

Although we at Higher Ground USA resist consumerism and fancy marketing campaigns pretty well (except when it comes to Pata-Gucci), I must admit that we sometimes fall victim to good advertising . . . really good advertising.  That’s why you might hear us whistling this little Gatorade ditty to ourselves on the trails, in the trees, or in our boats here lately.

This song was written specifically for a Gatorade marketing campaign and the full version is available for FREE as an mp3 on their website.  The song was written and produced by David Banner and is performed by Kermit Quinn.  The blues-inspired riffs makes it feel just like a Bo Diddley number although Kermit sounds just like Otis Redding if you ask us.  Either way, if you listen to it, we’re certain that it will end up on your playlist or at least in your head for your next adventure. 

Finally, this little gem got us thinking . . . what song will Higher Ground’s first commercial be set to?  Leave us some comments and let us know what you think!

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Our Summer Ends Today!

August 11th, 2010 · Uncategorized

Okay, our summer didn’t really end today, but that title just goes so well with the previous post.

Last you heard we were kicking off the summer with staff trainings for two of our favorite Mentone-area camps.  Pictures and updates were promised, so I’m sure you eagerly checked back every two to three days throughout the summer… all to no avail.  Well rest easy my friend, we promise to make it up to you.

We’ll get you up to speed, just not today.  After all it might be a bit much to summarize the entire summer in one post.  So here’s what we’ll do…over the next little bit we’ll highlight various aspects of the summer’s programming.  We’ll hit the high points, give you a glimpse of what went down, and share some photos along the way.

Until next time, here’s a sweet picture from one of our backpacking trips in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness.

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Our Summer Starts Today!

May 16th, 2010 · Uncategorized

Higher Ground USA’s summer starts today as Nathan and Jonathan travel to Mentone to work with one of our favorite summer camps!  Stay tuned for pictures and updates.

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