Growth Spiritward

By Michael Brown, President

As I travel around the country and talk with individuals and partner organizations about our work at Adventure Unlimited, conversations inevitably turn to the idea of spiritual growth. 

There are, of course, many wonderful things to share from recent programs, reports to give on new initiatives, or even fundraising needs to discuss. But time and again, it is spiritual growth that takes center stage. 

This is no accident. It is, in fact, what we do at Adventure Unlimited. It is our reason for being.

Knowing about the many programs offered across Adventure Unlimited, you may think that what we do is provide fun camp experiences for youth, families, and adults. Or that we develop skills in horsemanship, whitewater rafting, mountaineering, mountain biking, and more. And this is certainly true.

Your thought might go to the many amazing trips and events that we offer through DiscoveryBound (DB) Outreach, like our recent 20s/30s excursion to Greece or our all-ages event in North Carolina – and you’re correct there, too.

You could also point out that we bring sustained learning and community-building opportunities through other DB programs like Compass for teens, Ignite for young adults, and the National Leadership Council (NLC), which spans all of high school. We love to run these programs and offer these activities, but they are the means and not the ends. What we really DO is promote spiritual growth. 

All of Adventure Unlimited’s programs are designed to support this growth Spiritward. Because such growth is individual and unique in everyone’s experience, each offering provides something a little different. I’m reminded of Mary Baker Eddy’s poem that served as a gift to Christian Science children: 

Father-Mother good, lovingly
Thee I seek, —
Patient, meek,
In the way Thou hast, —
Be it slow or fast,
Up to Thee.
(Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 400)

We know that there is not only one way to inspire and encourage growth. Every participant’s relationship to that growth is their own. I love to think of the activities we offer as living metaphors.

Sure, an afternoon on horseback is fun and challenges us to reach beyond our comfort zone. A day on the river naturally pushes us to face uncertainty and learn to lead under pressure. An NLC service trip abroad helps us to look beyond ourselves to cultivate a foundation of servant leadership. 

What’s really exciting, though, is when that horse helps us better understand the power of God, divine Mind, over any mental, material beliefs. Or when that river becomes a true channel of thought, helping us to discern divine Truth. Or when our travels help to cultivate a deeply seated sense of unselfed love. 

Our vision is that everyone who comes into contact with Adventure Unlimited finds the opportunity for spiritual growth in the way that meets their need, whatever that may look like for that individual. We hope that we are doing this for you, too.