Cherokee Creek Boys School
Westminster, SC

Twice a year, families and students at Cherokee Creek Boys School gather for four days of outdoor adventure. In the unique environment of the natural world, families have the opportunity to break patterns, and challenge their assumptions. In the words of our mission statement: "…to discover what is real and true about themselves and the world around them."

This November, twelve courageous families came together for more challenge than they bargained for with two days of Hurricane Ida's leftover weather. Still, everyone knew when they signed on that this was a "rain or shine" event. At the end of the trip the weather, which had seemed at first to be a curse, turned out to be a great blessing. Instead of climbing southern granite and paddling a lake, the activity shifted to whitewater rafting since, as one parent said, "We were going to get wet anyway, why not get on the river!"

A family that perseveres and prevails despite unplanned challenges now, has the reality of a success where there may have been a history of failure. CCBS's Family Treks create this opportunity for the families we are privileged to serve.

A Family Trek veteran parent put it best:

"One of the things that really sets Cherokee Creek Boys School apart from other schools that we looked at is its focus and emphasis on involving the entire family in the work that needs to be done. The Family Treks were an important and central part of our family's Cherokee Creek experience for several reasons. First, they were fun and adventurous. What could be more exciting than whitewater canoeing on the river where they filmed Deliverance? Second, we really got an opportunity to bond with other Cherokee Creek families. Being able to learn from, and lean on, the other parents was so important to us. Finally and most importantly, Family Treks created an environment, with just a little bit of stress, where we could work on challenging situations with our son. He got a chance to step up and be the leader where appropriate, we learned to give up the illusion of having control over everything, and we all worked together on creating a positive and successful time together. The Family Trek experience was critical to each member of our family developing the confidence that we would be able to make things work when our son graduated from the program."

- Rory, Alumni Parent (May 2008, November 2008 and May 2009 Family Trek participant)

CCBS next family trek will be the first week of May, three weeks before the official start of the 2010 hurricane season.