Hello friends and family! This week was a little different from our usual outdoor trips: we headed out into the Coconino National Forest right here in Flagstaff in order to let all of the guys have a solo experience. During this time, guys are given a small plot of forest to set up their home for a couple days and use this time for quiet reflection. We worked closely with each client’s therapist to get individualized assignments and sent the guys on their way.
In order to ensure safety, Kevin and I set up our base camp in an easy-to-find location and fanned the guys out around us. We made sure they were close enough that would could continually check on them, but far enough away from each other to not disturb one another. It truly is a unique and challenging experience to sit out by yourself in the woods for a couple of days with no distractions.
The guys took their therapeutic assignments with them along with their AA work and some survival skills and set to work on a weekend of introspection. On Tuesday morning, all of the guys headed back to base camp and we had breakfast and ‘sharing is caring’ to talk about each person’s experience while on their solo. The reports were glowing from each client and though it was a tough weekend for them, everyone agreed that the solos were worthwhile and very helpful. The weekend was capped off with some time with Kip the therapy cat (not licensed) before we headed back into town.
Some excerpts from the solo:
“I’ve reflected on family, friends, and acquaintances from the past and present. I’ve realized who I want to work on becoming. Lava comes from the earth raging and hot to become solid and part of the earth.”
“This being my second solo experience, I was able to notice how my experience differentiated from the first. I felt more at peace and comfortable with myself and in my head. Overall, I was able to take time to deeply reflect on self and set positive goals for myself.
