Affirmations

Dear Wendigo Lake Expeditions,

I am the foster mother of Christopher S, a participant in the Project D.A.R.E. program in 2007. I wanted to write to you and tell you how much your program has done for this young man. Chris came to our home on Sept. 11 2007, after spending 28 days in intensive care at Sick Children's Hospital in London Ont. He is very lucky to be alive and some of that credit goes to the program that he was part of at Project D.A.R.E. You see, the illness that ravaged his body was enough to kill anyone but because of the excellent physical shape that Chris was in at the time of leaving Project D.A.R.E. his body took over when everything and everyone else gave up. Chris survived and is a bit of a "medical rock star" legend when we go back to the hospital for checkups and follow up treatment. The real story to tell you is how his attitude and his character are shining examples of what you try to teach in your program. I don't think that a day goes by that he doesn't use some lesson that he learned from your program and the staff that helped him. He speaks very highly of the program and often recommends it to others.

Chris is a wonderful addition to our family and over the past four months he has been focused on getting his life back in order. He hopes to finish high school and has plans to go to chef school or a culinary program at a community college. He is learning to drive and has just completed his in class driver training and has had lots of practice driving our family car. He has a part time job working at the concession booth at the local arena and is famous for his delicious subs that he so professionally makes for the hungry hockey crowds. He has reconnected with a few old friends and family members and has been successful in developing some new friends as well.

We feel blessed that he is living with us and hope that we will enjoy his friendship and family ties for a long time. It is truly amazing to see a young man who had a rough patch in his young life find his way through your program to a soft landing in our family. We know that Chris has a wonderful future ahead of him and the opportunities that he will encounter will have an even more powerful meaning because of the life lessons that he learned at Project D.A.R.E.

There is a saying that fits Chris..."If you have a good heart, your eyes will see beautiful things"...I think that D.A.R.E helps young men like Chris find the beauty in life that are sometimes buried in a hurting heart. Thanks for the healing of hearts and the vision to see things in a new way.

Positively yours in "being the best you can be"
Diane H

Hi there,

My name is Ken H. I am a 32 year old man who started life with all odds against him. By the time I was 14 I had served about 2 years of my life in prison. I was referred to Project DARE by my probation officer. I had alot of anger and problem solving issues… After Project DARE, I continued on the wrong path for many years. Yet it did instill a sense of unfound confidence that helped me realize the person I am. I know that had I of stayed longer at Project DARE, I would have gained more confidence and better problem solving skills. ... I want you to know that the instructors steered me towards a better path and gave me the tools needed to overcome obstacles in life in general.. Project Dare was the hardest thing up until that point in my life to get through but because the instructors took the time to teach me problem solving skills I did it. I found a strength in myself I did not know I had and have clung to that strength many times since. The obstacle course and the solo seemed so difficult at the time but with the instructors and peers supporting me, I overcame it. When I think back now, your program helped me immensely and gave me the do not quit attitude I have today.

Reaching inside myself to find the strength to deal with [subsequent hard challenges] all came down to Project DARE! I really know that [Project DARE] makes a difference in peoples lives every day. Without the life lessons from [Project DARE] I don't know that I would have made it and continued to be on the straight and narrow for 6 years now when my recidissim rate was 93%. I know you most likely don't get to hear the positive feedback, however I am thankful forever for the opportunity you gave me and how the instructors treated me. I am so glad there are programs like Project DARE even though there are too few that actually help. I am sure that there will be many more kids you help. I would love you to share this with your staff to let them know they really do make a difference! I am not sure what policies are for speakers but if you ever need someone for any aspect at all I would love to give back even a piece of what you gave to me! I am living the good life now even though there were other factors that helped with my recovery you played a huge role!! Thank you again!!

Sincerely yours, your biggest fan,

Kenny H.

Words of Thanks and Encouragement from a Project D.A.R.E. Graduate
(32 years later – an unsolicited email from Brian)

“…Just found your site, and was completely astonished to see you still up and running! Congratulations on your longevity, and on the sure and certainty you have helped many like me.

…I graduated with my crew, and am still today using everything you taught me… The lessons I learned, the encouragement and support I received were the genesis of, and remain to this day, some of my greatest strengths as a father, citizen, friend and outdoorsman.

…I have three daughters now, 18, 25, and 26. All are doing fantastic… All are accomplished at all aspects of the training I received, including water and climbing skills. Getting the opportunity to look at my self, my fears, my perceived limits and working my butt off, has paid off a thousand times over. I want to say thank you so much.

I would also like to ask if there is any possibility that I might get copies of my badges, for my kids’ scrapbook. Many a fireside evening has been spent in our sharing my memories of D.A.R.E. …

I send my very best to the present staff, and urge you to continue the invaluable work you have undertaken. To parents of students in or about to take the training, I also send my thoughts and wishes for their children’s success.

…Once again, kudos, and a most hearty and sincere thank you. SEEK YOUR HORIZON!!!!!!!!!!

Much Love. :-) Brian H. (unsolicited email received June 8, 2007)

"The review team was impressed with the passion and professionalism demonstrated by WLE staff. The desire to be the best was apparent from the moment we arrived and the desire for feedback that would enable the organization to continue to improve was embraced."

A.E.E. Accreditation review team. - 2006

“My son spent three months at Project D.A.R.E. in the summer of 2004. He arrived there as a very troubled 15 year old, and Project D.A.R.E. was his last hope. Project D.A.R.E. instilled into my son a great work ethic, and since going back to school in September 2004, he has not missed or skipped one day. He also graduated with honors with an average of 83.75%!!! Thank you Project D.A.R.E. from the bottom of our hearts. You are all miracle workers, and we praise you for taking these troubled teens and instilling self esteem and great work ethic into them, giving them a sense of responsibility and what is right and wrong. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. (Edited for length) -

Unsolicited letter from a parent - 2006

Hello my name is Don W ...and I was a student in your program when I was 14 or 15 ..and now I am 41 . I was just talking to my oldest daughter (16) cause she found the badge in an old photo album and she was asking what it was. So I looked to see if you had a web site and you did. Let me say I was very happy to see this program going strong. I still have the candle from my graduation. Dare had and still changes my life for the best. I was in the Cabin named Thrush and we wrote our name on a Paddle

Many Many Thanks to those who changed my life. Don W (B)

"In my capacity as Liaison for the Waterloo/Wellington
Regions I have had opportunity to interview many clients including my own for possible placement in (Wendigo Lake Expeditions) program. It is my experience that the type of youth who benefits most from the opportunities at Wendigo Lake Expedition are youth that have poor images of themselves and the world around them. These are youth that are floundering and lack a focus in life. They may be preoccupied with substance use or are easily led by their peers and find it difficult to think for themselves. Youth that have substantial difficulty in identifying their needs and expressing themselves to others seem to benefit from the daily dialogue, de-briefing and circles. Feedback from youth and from their families has always been very positive sometimes referring to the experience as life altering. Many youth have reported that their time at WLE provided the catalyst to shift their thinking, their perceptions of themselves and their future outlooks. I highly recommend this opportunity to any trouble youth...It will make a difference!"

Jean Gauthier - Probation Officer
Kitchener/Waterloo Office
March 2004

"I was actually just thinking about D.A.R.E. and how much you and the staff helped me. If you wouldn't mind I would really appreciate it if you could share this E-mail with the staff members that worked with me while I was there... I was a student at D.A.R.E. It has been 4 years, I think about our trips all the time. To tell you the honest truth I miss being there. You guys were some of the nicest people I ever met. I never actually got a chance to thank you guys, so THANK YOU. I completed every year of high school on the honour roll after leaving D.A.R.E. and graduated with one of the highest mathematics averages of my classmates. Another thing I wanted you to know is that you guys were such good role models that I myself am looking into coming to work at D.A.R.E. Not anytime soon but for a long term goal."

Unsolicited e-mail from past student - February 2006

"It has been just over a year since our son returned home from a six month stay at Wendigo Lake Expeditions. (He) went to (the program) with a grand total of 3 high school credits to show for 2 years of school. He was uncooperative, rebellious and unreasonable. We felt he was teetering on being almost out of control. After six months at Wendigo Lake Expeditions he returned home and completed the school work that he had started there. He finished the year with 9 credits which completed Grade 9 and most of Grade 10...We don't know what path (his) life will take, none of us really do, but he is much better equipped to deal with life after his time at WLE than he was before he went there...He loved his teachers and they made a huge impression on him...To all the staff there, thank you for all the training, encouragement and emotional support that you gave (our son) and to us. Without a doubt, you helped change this young person's life....We see the changes every day. We can only hope that (he) continues on his journey through life on the right path but we do know that the program give him the tools to make the right choices." (Edited for length)

Unsolicited e-mail from parents - April 2004

"Dear staff of the WLE program who worked with my son Kris:
I could never thank all of you enough for the beautiful work that you done with my son...Kris came back from his 2 months at the program with a much different attitude than before, much more self confident, now he calls for discussion when things are not right, he doesn't get angry anymore. - he cleans house everyday and shows total respect for me. He does his chores at home. He is again a happy person. He stopped smoking, he cooks his own food, and shares it with me...He is always respecting his curfew. He doesn't use bad words. He talks a lot about the staff …. and everyday I hear a new story about things that happened to him during those two months. He has learned so much in those two months! I have my son back.

A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE OF YOU!!

email from parent - November 2003

"...We were clearly impressed with the organization. They have a competent and caring staff, and a strong values-based program that appears to be achieving significant positive outcomes with this population of adjudicated youth...One strength immediately apparent at (Wendigo Lake Expeditions) is the level of competence, qualification, and caring of the staff. They convey calmness, consistency and respect to the youth in their care...The staff members also support one another, and are able to structure programming in a way that focuses on preventing problems from developing...All students we spoke to emphasized that they felt safe in the program...".

Association for Experiential Education Accreditation Site Visit Review Report August 2003

"To All Staff Whom I've worked with (Rovers and Lobos). This place taught me lots. I've still got lots to learn but with my tools I hope to give my engine (or life) a jump start. I'll never forget this place or what I have learned...Greatly Appreciated"

J.C. - Summer 2002

"Dear Rover Staff...Since most of my time was spent with you guys and girls and the roughest of my times this means I learned most of my life skills from you. Thanks for everything...
Kelly - ...you once had a mentor that helped you now you have done the same - thanks...
Kim - ...you were always happy and pretty funny - thanks for everything...
Torrence - ...You taught me a lot of skills through frustrating times and I thank you for what you did..."

C.S. - Summer 2002

"Good luck all of you staff you helped me out on lots of things...I wish you all the best keep up the good work you're doing ....Sorry for all the things I made you go through...but still you have helped me a lot - peace everybody."

C.U. - Summer 2002

"....Thank you as well for instilling special values and traits now present in his every day responsibilities. I truly believe in your program."

Letter from parent 2002

"...I was there a while ago, in the great Rover crew...I loved being there. I would come back on my own free will if I could, but I'm doing great now, because of you guys, thanks for everything..."

J.L. - Winter 2001

"...We found him (student) to be happy and he looked as if he was enjoying the activities that your program is providing by the enthusiasm he provided while showing us around the project and he seems to have taken on a different attitude as to the way he looks at things and spoke highly of the trips that he and his group make....(our grandson) is fast approaching the end of his stay there and we wish to express the importance of such a project which will benefit boys such as (he) …who accept the Challenge to become the best they can be. Once again, keep up the good work. You have a wonderful facility there. I think it is the Province's best kept secret."

letter from a grandparent

"...I owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have allowed me the opportunity to grow into the position of Outdoor Recreation Instructor here at (Wendigo Lake Expeditions) . On a professional level, each day of the last four months has been a challenge from which I came out of learning more about myself as a leader and a teacher. I've learned that leading, especially clients of this nature, is more about how I say and do what I do, than what is actually being said and done, that I can walk into any given situation and take control with patience, confidence and humility rather than with a condemning or arrogant attitude. When teaching, I've realized that I can't lump all students into the same category, that I need to respect and adapt to every student's personal learning style. All this, of course, came through trial and error, but was guided, supported and encouraged by my fellow team-mates, management and the training I was given early in my stay....Knowing that I was not alone in this experience increased my sense of support and feelings of connectedness to my colleagues. Gratefully, the flexibility and allowance for individual style, with instructing, gave me the chance to grow personally and work without fear of termination. Working in such a dynamic environment, I was constantly absorbing new methods of teaching and increasing my flexibility as an instructor....It is my sincerest desire to return to work with (Wendigo Lake Expeditions) as soon as my educational obligations allow...."

Summer 2001 Instructor