Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Dear Friends,

Almost ten years ago, in the middle of January with eight inches of snow on the ground, IMP embarked on our first camping trip.  The Dunbar cohort 1 students and a handful of volunteers loaded up a school bus with supplies and headed to Broadcreek Memorial Scout Reservation. Upon arrival, our first challenge, predictably, was the lack of heat. The boys’ cabin had a wood stove, but all of the wood was wet from the snow.  We were woefully unprepared and didn’t have enough hats, scarves, sleeping bags, dry socks or heavy coats. That first night, the boys huddled together in their cabin, talking about their lives and rapping, doing anything to stay warm. This difficult, uncomfortable evening turned into a profound, shared experience and marked the beginning of our transition from strangers to family. 

Since then, the IMP camping trip has become an annual tradition that provides an important opportunity for students, volunteers, staff and board members to bond.  However, this summer saw the beginning of another transition. After almost a decade in IMP, the Dunbar cohort 1 students became IMP alumni in June and joined this year’s trips as volunteers.  Eight cohorts of IMP students, from both the ACCE and Dunbar sites, gathered at camp. It was amazing to see the alumni counseling younger students and volunteers, sharing what they have learned.  To see generations of IMP students come together and support one another in overcoming their fears on the ropes course and jumping off the cliffs was inspiring.  More