Chris Hammer

Review of Red Cliff Ascent

I was here at RCA in 2004-05, during the 20/20 sho...

I was here at RCA in 2004-05, during the 20/20 show, and it was very rough. It was very hard. You had to hike miles on end, with back packs you made yourself. You had to start a fire with your hands, usually with sticks to heat your hot meal. You had to eat whatever you made, as you get food drops every so often and find the water you drank. Even if you hiked back to your old campsite, the purpose isn't the site.... It's learning you can overcome what feels like even one of the hardest tasks. My first 9 mile, I literally laid down on rocks during a short water break while some other kids that were in better shape took pictures of the view. I felt SO good laying down on rocks. I never thought I would finish that hike. They were hard on me, "forced" me to continue on. After all, EVERYONE refuses, complains, threatens when they first arrive.. I did, everyone did, and we all became quite great at hiking. It felt good, helped confidence and goal setting expectations. One guy tried to run away... in the middle of the freaking mountains and luckily was found. After all, especially if you haven't learned some of the outside living basics it is absolutely dangerous. They had to ensure he wouldn't try to run again once later found. Mid hike, this same tough guy wanted to quit again regardless of everyone else around him and just fell down refusing to walk anymore. We literally needed to get to another water source and then set up camp. We got him hiking, no injuries, just stubbornness. This same person, ended up doing just fine from then on out. The staff were all absolutely amazing. Some were more tough than others, but they all tried their best and you could tell. They teach you natural consequences, so you get what you put into it yourself.

I still have a necklace made for me from juniper beads I believe by a staff member when I graduated, and definitely still use my knife!

It's going to be really tough for some, especially if they normally have been pampered/spoiled growing up. You might get slightly hurt, as you are living outside for months. That being said, it was probably one of the best things that happened to me. I was there around maybe 90-100 days or so. I did go to a boarding school after that, which I'm also appreciative of.

I recommend every single teenager attend this camp. Literally, every one. You learn about yourself, what you're made of, that you can hinder your own progress more than others, can accomplish what you want, and how good it feels to do so at the end.

And the STARS! The view of the stars, is literally freaking unreal. I wish I could see that every night.

I wish I could come work there as part of the staff sometimes. Maybe I will stop by if I'm ever that way.