Kept Going, Kept Growing

Seven days. That was the total number of times I made it to school in an entire semester. It wasn’t because I didn’t care. Life had thrown more at me than I could handle. The loss of a family member. Being uprooted to a new city. Trying to figure out who I was, all while navigating a world that often didn’t seem to have a place for me. It was easier to shut everything out.

Easier to say, “Forget school, forget authority, forget the world.”

Then came Take a Hike.

At first, it was just another thing to resist. The program included hikes, outdoor trips, and teamwork, all of which I hated and wanted nothing to do with. Hiking, especially, was the worst. Every step was a battle, every incline an excuse to turn back. But something changed one day.

Maybe it was the support I was finally receiving, or the fact that no one gave up on me. Surrounded by people who believed in me, I began to feel like I belonged and started trusting the process. I’ve now been with Take a Hike for a year and a half, which is longer than I’ve stayed at any school since Grade 2. That kind of stability made all the difference.

Now, I’m on track to graduate—something I never thought I’d be able to say. Each step forward, both in school and on the trails, has reminded me how far I’ve come.

One day, instead of complaining about the hikes, I asked for a more challenging one.

And from that moment on, everything started to shift for me. The mountains became a challenge I wanted to conquer. The discomfort turned into something I could suddenly push through. I stopped dreading the journey and started embracing it. And in the process, I realized I could do the same with my own life.

So, I started showing up more. Not just on the hikes, but in the classroom. I started to tackle academics like I began tackling the trails—one step at a time. Then I pushed myself further and took a leadership role in class. Once my academics started to improve, I took a college course just to test the waters, and I loved it. Then one day I reached a goal that once felt impossible: I got accepted into college.

Getting that acceptance felt like everything was finally coming together. It wasn’t just about reaching a goal. It reminded me of how far I’ve come and the kind of person I want to be. Now, I want to build a future where I can be a source of support for someone else.

My journey hasn’t been easy, and it’s far from over. But once I allowed myself to believe I could move forward, I went further than I ever thought possible. From barely attending school to preparing for college. From refusing to take a single step to choosing the hardest hike. From pushing everyone away to imagining a future where I could lift others up.

Now, I’m taking everything I’ve learned and using it to build something meaningful. I’ve chosen a path where I can give back to my community and support families the way I once needed support. Being part of Take a Hike didn’t just help me get through the day, it helped me see who I could become. I want to be someone who shows up, who gives others hope, and who proves that even the hardest paths can lead to something good.

– Rowan, Take a Hike 2025 alum