Jul 3-            No Devotional Independence Day Holiday                                                                 

Jul 4-            No School Independence Day

Jul 5-            Field Trip to “Oliver” Play- Utah Fesitval Opera

Jul 11-22-    Boys’ Camp Hanna

Jul 24-          No Devotional-Pioneer Day Holiday     

Jul 25-Aug 5-Girls’ Camp Hanna

Aug 1-          Boy’s Baseball Tryouts

Aug 8-           Girl’s Volleyball Tryouts

Aug 19-        Summer Quarter Ends

Aug 22-       1^st Quarter Begins

Sept 4-         No Devotional Labor Day Holiday

Sept 5-         No School Labor Day

Sept 12-16- Parent Retreat- This is an overnight camping activity with your child.

Each therapist and their case load will be assigned certain days to go.

More details will be coming in the next e-mails.

Oct 4-7-       Base Camping Trip

Oct 20-22-   Scarecrow Festival

Nov 3-          Parent Teachers Conf

Nov 4-          Parent Seminar- WRA Girls’ Spiritual Living Center

Nov 15-18-  Summit Camping Trip-Hanksville

Nov 24-25- No School Thanksgiving

Nov 27-       No Devotional

Dec 6-9-      Base Camping Trip

Dec 25-        No Devotional- Christmas Day

Dec26-Jan 1- No school

There presentation is on how to maintain peace and foster mental health

This last weekend the spiritual advisors sponsored an activity for the boys.  The boys had to complete certain requirments in order to be eligible to go on the activity. 

They headed to Camp Tracy where they dug post holes for signs as a service project.

Afterwards they had a barbeque and speaker Derek Parra an Olympic Ice Speed Skater.  Parra won a gold and silver medal during the 2002 Olmpic games. He talked about the struggles that he has faced and the work involved to earn the medals. He encouraged them to work hard and not give up.

The next morning the boys were busy filling sandbags to help with the flooding situation in the valley.  Then they went swimming where they were able to cool off and have fun.  Lunch was served and that concluded the activities. Thanks to spiritual advisors and the branch who helped organize our “Super Activity”.

This year’s parent retreat was a huge success. We went to Green River, Utah to do some river rafting through Grey Canyon on the Green River. We spent three nights there.   The girls came the first night and the boys the next two.   When the families and therapists arrived they were served dinner prepared by the recreation staff. After dinner the parents and students participated in games and challenge events.  At night, we cooked orange cakes and smores over the fire.   The parents had the option of staying at the campsite or staying in hotels. The next morning after a hearty breakfast, the entire group was shuttled up river where we would embark on our journey.  The water was colder than normal but that didn’t deter some from swimming in the calm sections and having plenty of water fights.  We rafted down to our camp site and had lunch.

The Therapeutic Recreation department feels that this trip is important to our student’s progress. Often times, the families that turn to West Ridge for help have experienced trials that prevent them from having fun with their children. This trip is designed to provide an opportunity for families to have fun. Parents had the opportunity to talk with their child’s therapist. Families were given opportunities to rebuild relationships. Students had the opportunity to practice what they have learned in therapy sessions. Parents bonded with their children. We saw students show genuine care and concern for their parents. Where students once resented their parents, they were now eager and proud to introduce them to us. A big thanks goes out to all of the parents who attended. We had parents fly in from all over the country. Also thanks to all the therapists for your support. 

After graduating from high school in 1998 Aaron set a new wall record of 12.61 seconds in the X games speed rock climbing.  He beat out the Russians to win the GOLD medal.  He has made his own bucketlist, before bucketlists were even popular. Among over 200 items on the list is Aaron’s goal to get a college degree.

We’re looking forward to hearing his message and what motivates him to keep on achieving.   To watch the race click on the link.

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvItXVUYdp4