I grew up in a church filled with traditions. One of these traditions was started by our youth pastors father; Wilderness Trail. All throughout my elementary years I would hear talk of the annual youth trip up to Troutdale, Virginia. In sixth grade I finally got the chance to go. Wilderness Trail is a backpacking ministry in southwest Virginia, each summer groups come and go on a 5 day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. The second I stepped foot on the property, I fell in love. There was an immediate sense of belonging I felt, both with the people around me and the property itself. Throughout that week backpacking, I learned more about myself and the people I was with than I had ever imagined possible. Hiking 10 miles a day allows you
