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Student Life

Walkabout

Seven Days Without Showers

George Fox University Walkabout 2003

Walkabout Philosophy and Objectives:


Within the framework of this wilderness experience, it is our goal to provide a challenging as well as supportive experience to all those involved. The responsibility to challenge and support will not be placed solely upon the guides and leaders, but upon each participant. In the context of the wilderness, each participant will be encouraged to examine his/her assumptions, priorities, values, commitments, and self-imposed limitations. Each student has the opportunity to emerge from this process with a stronger and more personalized sense of values and commitments, a greater awareness and celebration of their own strengths, and the knowledge that their limitations need not keep them from succeeding.

Understand and Challenge self - to increase awareness of each students' God-given strengths and weaknesses. Confront assumptions of personal limitations by challenging the self physically, spiritually, socially, mentally, and begin reframing perceived inadequacies into new and positive strengths.

Preparation for an Amazing year of Service - to give each student the opportunity to grapple with serving others over self, serving in a way that allows them to respect and love themselves like God does, along with modeling healthy service to others.

Opportunity to see what God's Spirit teaches us - Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen from what has been made." To use the environment of the mountains with its beauty, majesty and ruggedness to emphasize the magnificence of God's creation and boundless miracles found within the wilderness. To increase the awareness of how everything is connected and is a part of God's overall plan.

Learn about Leadership through Experience - giving each student the chance to lead and be led. Walkabout provides a setting where a leaders' choices have consequences, both good and bad. Students work on skills such as: communication, group cohesivness, transparency, judgement, vision, confidence, modeling, encouragement, and more.

Make Contributions to a Group for the Greater Good - consider the goals and glory of the group as more important than personal goals and glory. Along with learning to accept as well as give love within a community, accept challenge and encouragement from others, and have the courage to hold others accountable to group values.

Challenge Societal Expectations and Demands - through changing the setting, being presented with an unusual challenge, taking an unaccustomed risk, and processing these experiences, you can break through the typical to the extraordinary potential found within. Each student will engage in counter cultural activities like: Solitude, success through failure, leading through service, decision made for group benefit rather than personal glory and using creative imagination over logic, and break through the typical to find the extraordinary.

Walkabout Resources


  • This year we will be going to our usual destination, the Three Sisters Wilderness Area, near Bend, Oregon.
  • If you have questions about how to select appropriate Boots Backpacker Magazing and ABC of Hiking have great online resources for selecting the perfect boot.
  • Double check your Packing List and make sure you bring the right equipment to ensure that you will stay warm, safe, amd dry.
  • Click here for frequently asked questions and tips about packing and selecting clothing for Walkabout.
  • Lastly, don't forget to fill out all 3 pages of your health form and Doctor release form and mail or fax those to us.
  • Please email, mail, or fax health forms to Dave Johnstone 414 N. Meridian St. Box 6175 Newberg, OR 97132, or Fax to 503.554.2339.
  • Feel free to contact Jonathan Morell at jmorell@georgefox.edu or Dave Johnstone at djohnsto@georgefox.edu with questions.