Part of the experience at Eagle Summit is for the students to have challenging experiences that give them opportunities to enjoy new, memorable and unique experiences but also present them with opportunities to use the skills they have learned at Eagle Summit in unfamiliar places, situations and settings.  In early June, 2010, six students and three staff members from Eagle Summit ventured on a canoe trip on the Suwannee River in Florida. The 63 mile long trip took 5 days to complete. The Suwannee is particularly challenging because it is a very slow river and it means days filled with almost constant paddling.  Not to mention, the students were very apprehensive about the trip when they heard that alligators inhabited the waters.

This was a new experience at some level for each student. Some had never been to Florida, some had never manned a canoe, and none had ever seen an alligator close up outside of a zoo!

The group carried all their gear in the boats and camped each night they were out. In addition to the days spent together, each student spent half day on a solo experience; giving them quality time to journal and reflect upon the trip and their journey at Eagle Summit. The trip was a great success and all the students and staff report having a challenging but great time!