Upcoming Winter Workshop!

We are excited to announce SOLE and our friends, the Idaho Conservation League and Friends of the Scotchman's Peaks Wilderness, are planning a collaborative event as part of the Winter Film Series in Sandpoint, Idaho this December!  This event will consist of various basic backcountry workshops to assist participants in becoming more competent while enjoying the winter backcountry setting.  Our portion of this event will focus on Winter Wilderness Living.  This workshop event will be facilitated by Dennison Webb, M.A. (SOLE Executive Director) and Erik Yost, M.S. (SOLE Program Director).  Please stay tuned for additional information or contact us if you would like more information! 

SOLE Gets Summer Exposure!

As we move into the fall season we are reflecting on our initial summer season. We were fortunate to collaborate with the Idaho Conservation League this summer and co-facilitate some great hikes littered with educational underpinnings. These Fieldwork Experiences fostered opportunities for participants to experience the Selkirk Mountains firsthand while learning how to tread lightly. SOLE's mission is grounded on several cornerstones, including developing environmental stewards. These experiences proved to serve our mission well, and in turn, we developed some long lasting relationships with the residents, organizations and community that we serve. We are thankful for our new found friends at the ICL and look forward to seeing everyone on the trail!

SOLE was also fortunate to team up with the Sandpoint High School Girls Varsity Soccer team this summer and offer a Development Experience which focused on team building. SOLE faculty educated the girls on concepts relating to identifying team values, developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as, setting and accomplishing personal goals. At SOLE we believe in character and leadership development and appreciated the level of ownership and growth that these students presented. We look forward to sharing more educational opportunities with the youth of Sandpoint and the surrounding areas!

Caribou Mountain, North Idaho

Recently I was fortunate enough to go with a group of students up to Caribou Mountain. This local, yet remote destination hosts a wealth of recreational/educational opportunities. Located up the Pack River drainage Caribou Mountain hosts a plethora of local flora and fauna, including Grizzly Bears and the Woodland Caribou -- the only location in the Lower 48! Students were able to truly experience their natural world and learn about themselves in the process.

Vision and Action -- at the forefront of leadership!

I have often contemplated what true "leadership" is....I look around at the various individuals that are in leadership roles and wonder, "what identifies him or her as an effective leader?" Is it based on specific traits or characteristics? Is it based on the ability to put on different hats for different needs? I tend to lean towards the later. I look at those I admire and see key qualities that allows/ed him or her to be proactive, quick thinkers and solution-oriented. Think in terms of Sir Earnest Shackleton. A man that led his team by meeting adversity with fierce determination. This seems to be true leadership. I believe that we have solid examples all around us of poor and sound leadership. I also believe that we can challenge our own selves to follow in the footsteps of others or push on to create our own leadership opportunities and carve out our own niche. What do you think?

Me and my colleagues recently went to the Olympic National Park to facilitate a Quest Experience for students from the Monarch School. Students participated in a 12-day backpacking expedition along the Pacific Ocean where they were able to explore the local flora and fauna and reflect on their own personal and group development. It was quite an experience for all!

Latest experiential education adventure to the Olympic Peninsula. Read January's blog posting for an update!

Kevin Haythe - Namaste' My Friend

This past week this world suffered a great lost. Kevin Haythe, a dear friend and supporter of mine, passed away. It is never easy to lose a loved one, and this is most definitely the case after personally knowing Kevin over the past 14 years. His passion for life was evident through his relationships with others and his personal pursuits. Whether he was consoling a friend, dancing to music, kayaking a Class 5 rapid, ripping tele-turns in some deep powder, or consulting corporate executives Kevin lived life to the fullest. His accomplishments were many, which perhaps came from his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. I will miss sharing my life with Kevin in this manner - he has been there for me on many occasions. I feel saddened by this loss not only for myself, but for those that never were able to cross paths with this amazing individual. I do feel confident that his spirit will live on in honor. Rest in peace my friend.