The best summer of my life! And no, that’s not an exaggeration. I grew in the COLTS program more than I ever expected and was pushed physically, spiritually, and mentally. I learned how to lead out-trips and be a backpacking guide, but more importantly I learned how to draw close to God and put my faith in him. I came out of the program with a love for God and passion for life that I never thought existed! (never mind all the lore I can tell my grandchildren one day:)

As a quiet introvert with no backpacking experience prior to COLTS, the idea of signing up for the program brought intimidation and feelings of inferiority. I have never experienced such a unique program where I learned practical wilderness skills while being mentored by people who showed an abundance of servant leadership. It was a program that allowed for practical application of what I was learning in the coolest way: leading campers into the back country while talking with them about God’s magnificent creation.

Coming into COLTS and Crow as a person who had no experience with Crow and had only heard about the program from a friend felt super intimidating. I was worried about what I'd be sacrificing in order to do COLTS, but I felt God calling me to apply. I'm incredibly grateful for being able to do this program and gain so many outdoor and Godly leadership experiences. COLTS will test you mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually. But what came out of those tests was and is worth it. Apply and see how God leads you!

In a society that often cushions people, I was not expecting how hard I would be pushed. It was the most humbling and growing experience. I was wrong often, had to try harder than expected, and needed to learn how to ask for help. The relationships you build, the skills you learn, and the leaders who work with you are all pointed towards Christ, working for His glory. If you love the outdoors, want to grow in your relationship with God, and are looking for a challenge, then COLTS is a great place to be.

COLTS is an exceptional program. As someone with a good amount of backcountry experience already, COLTS grew my knowledge and passion for the outdoors. The leadership aspect has positively impacted who I am by making me more confident in my decisions and actively taking on responsibility and knowing I am capable of handling it. COLTS is more than just an outdoor program but also a great place to learn how to minister in the outdoors and become a better leader.

COLTS pushed me physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I came to COLTS a bit hesitant, not knowing Crow or Alberta and unsure of my ability to lead backpacking trips. During the four months I learned about the outdoors, first aid, leadership, environmental stewardship and so much more. If you like the outdoors, team work , love God, and want to be challenged, COLTS is for you. I also learned I can't always give my 100% but that's ok. 2 Cor 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

I came to COLTS having never been to CLBC before, and I was completely blown away. In COLTS you will learn many valuable outdoor skills, but COLTS is about so much more than just the outdoors. I learned so much about what it means to be a leader and to lean more into God every step of the way. COLTS is hard work and requires you to be willing to learn, but it is an incredible life-changing experience that I highly recommend.

The far-reaching impact and intensity of COLTS cannot be expressed through words. But this I will say: your leadership, humility, life purpose, perseverance, and trust in God will be tried and challenged through difficult backcountry experiences. If you only want to learn a few things about backpacking or just have a fun adventure: COLTS may not be for you. If you're interested in what was expressed above (and physically able to climb a tree) then apply - adventures are included!

COLTS is a program that will test and exceed your limits, increase your leadership capacity, and build your faith. The instructors are highly conscious and competent; passionate about participants realizing their full potential; committed to demonstrating authentic servant leadership; and humbly submitted to God’s direction for each year of students. Through serving campers in the wilderness and witnessing God encounter so many, he has given me a heart to serve.

COLTS pushes you past your physical capabilities and takes you to heights you couldn’t imagine. We stood on ridges with 120km winds, carried each other in first aid simulations, got real lost in the woods, slept on snow, trekked through every type of weather, and cried. One thing I learned in COLTS was to “fall into the hill, it will always catch you.” While that was intended for falling down actual hills, it applied to my relationship with Christ. “Fall into Christ, He will always catch you.”

I came into COLTS knowing very little, had a hard time allowing myself to fail and ignoring the toxic thoughts in my head. Over the four months, I was stretched beyond what I thought my limits were when it comes to outdoor leadership. After I finished leading my 5th trip, I could only praise God for shaping me into the leader I am. For I know that in my own strength I would never be where I am today.

One cannot truly communicate the COLTS program by words alone, it must be experienced. I could tell stories of incredible highs and lows, of which I certainly had many of, but the overall impact COLTS will (likely) have on you is more than that. Hilariously enough, I have never wanted to quit something so badly, while simultaneously never wanting it to end. I love this program, and this camp.

A constant assurance through the training portion of COLTS was the servant leadership role models guiding the program. Stretching and growing in an environment where learning from our mistakes was a welcome foundation for leadership development. I am grateful to have engaged the challenge of providing youth with backpacking adventures and witnessing their hearts discover the grandeur of God's personal investment in their lives!

I learned a great amount about myself, leadership tactics, hard skills, and most importantly God. Working with campers had its ups and downs (pun intended), but I would not change this challenging experience. I enjoyed COLTS so much that I came back and did COLTS II in 2018, as an instructor. I have been putting the skills I learned to the test in everyday tasks involving conflict and leadership, outdoor adventures and now with my work, as an Education Assistant.

The day-to-day leadership development and unique instructional approaches in COLTS changed the way I view and structure many aspects of life now. Specifically, I remember being awestruck at the mountains we got to explore both in training and with campers, reminding me that we are here for a purpose. And, what better way to share God's creation than backpacking through hanging alpine meadows in the Rocky Mountains of Canada.

Throughout C.O.L.T.S. there was constant growth. I started the summer not feeling like I could be a COLT. I only applied because the man upstairs led me there time and again. I am glad that He did. From the first Outtrip to the last it was an experience that forever shaped my life and my thoughts about myself and about the presence of God. It led me to see for the first time that I could be a real leader. I Have many stories; just ask, I could write pages.

At COLTS I built a solid foundation for my own outdoor adventures, and my ability to lead others in the outdoors. The skills I've learned have been with me over the years, and I continue to enjoy facilitating other's backcountry adventures, both at Crow and beyond. COLTS sped me on the journey of noticing God's presence in creation. Being in the backcountry connects me with others and with the Creator. I'm so thankful when I can take others to the mountains, and they can do things they didn't think possible.

The Crowsnest Outdoor Leadership Training School continues to be one of the most influential periods of my life. COLTS experience taught me how to focus on and serve others, to develop deep and authentic relationships, and to be able to look for (and see) the power of Jesus Christ around me. In addition, I continue to rely on the firm foundation of technical mountain skills learned through this program in the rugged Southern Alberta Rockies. God truly used COLTS to permanently shift the direction of my life!