by Kelsey Penrose
On Thursday, eight Carson City youth graduated from a ten-week wilderness program designed for minors who have been court ordered on probation and into the program.
According to Ali Banister, Chief of Juvenile Services in Carson City, the participants embarked on a “transformative ten-week adventure,” which totaled over 300 hours of “intense learning and personal growth.”
“This program has been defined by four pillars: leadership, resiliency, teamwork, and discipline,” Banister said. “These principles have not just been important concepts, but the very fabric of their daily experiences.”
The courts partnered with Carson City Crossfit over the course of the ten-week program.
Participants met several times a week for a range of activities which included working with a CrossFit coach at a gym, mountain biking, horseback riding, white water rafting, camping, fishing, community service, guest speakers, hiking trails throughout Nevada and California, ropes course activities, creating and performing a puppet show at the Boys and Girls Club, and finally, a wilderness retreat which concluded the program.
“During the retreat, the kids were required to reflect on the Wilderness program, their decisions, and their futures,” Banister said. “Throughout this journey, these youth faced and conquered numerous challenges.”
According to Banister, watching the participants engage in the ropes course was one of the most profound experiences for those involved.
“Confronting and overcoming fears in these physical and mental challenges was inspiring to watch,” Banister said. “Whether navigating the high ropes suspended above the ground or tackling the complex tasks of the low ropes course, these youth showed immense determination. These experiences tested their limits, but they also allowed them to break through them, demonstrating the kind of resilience and courage that will serve them well throughout their lives.”
Throughout the ten-week program, Banister said, the participants pushed their limits and discovered their own capabilities.
“I have had the honor of facilitating this program for nearly 18 years,” Banister said. “Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless transformations, seen many young lives turn around, and have become more convinced than ever that this program makes a difference. Each graduation is a testament to the dedication, effort, and growth that define this experience.”
Graduation was attended by District Court Judge Kristin Luis, Special Magistrate Kimberly Okezie, District Court Judge James Russell, and Banister, as pictured above.
