2026 Youth Trip to Colorado – Day 3

August 3 - Day 3

Hello! My name is Aubree Jane Lundgren and this was our first day fully in the mountains. After a filling breakfast of pancakes and bacon and reciting a poem about paying attention and noticing, which was our focus for the day, and then we were ready. We were then given the choice between two hikes, one 8 miles and one 10 miles. I found myself on the 10 mile hike despite a little bit of apprehension. With our lovely lovely guide named Georgia, our group of 10 set off. The first 3 miles were deceiving. Spirits were high, energy was flowing and it was easy peasy lemon squeezy. Then we hit it. The 4th mile. The 4th mile tested us physically and mentally. The hill was treacherous and rocky, and yet we didn’t turn back. We wanted to, at times, but we never did. And it’s a good thing we didn’t because once we got past the hill we were met with the most beautiful little stream and the most gorgeous view that I’ve ever seen. Being among the mountains really gave us a lot of perspective. Problems that hound you back in Madison suddenly seem tiny in the face of a Colarado mountain.

With determination, grit, and one too many renditions of “Get Back Up Again” from the movie trolls, we did it. We returned down the mountain feeling exhausted yet accomplished. God knew we could do it, and even though we might’ve doubted him at times, we came out alright on the other side. Once everyone returned to camp we rested and had a delicious dinner, but then we were right back up again to play volleyball, make friendship bracelets and play card games. But after all of that we worshiped together in a big circle outside with mountains towering in the background. During worship we discussed what we noticed during our hike and what the Holy Spirit stirred within us. With the sun fading behind the mountains and everyone singing, we ended our day in Colorado.