Will Restrospective - A pictorial history

2005 – 2006

In the fall of 2005, the second group of young men and women were selected to become Wilderness Leadership & Learning (WILL) members. These teens learned life lessons about accomplishment though setting and achieving goals and being accountable on all levels. By working together through the year, friendships and trust were created and built upon.  Below is the pictorial story of  the 2005-2006 WILL alumnae!
- Steve Abraham, WILL founder

In October, WILL kicked off its 2005 - 2006 year with a challenge/ropes course.

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, WILL went aboard the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF's) boat, "The Susquehanna," to learn about the importance of the Bay to the region.

Each December, WILL members and their families gather together to celebrate the holiday season with a festive party.

WILL watched the nationally recognized documentary Paper Clips on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, inspiring us with a real-life example of how committed individuals can accomplish their goals and how diversity and tolerance enlarge all our lives.

"The movie brought out what we could all do if we put our minds to it-the incredible things this world could do if we were just a little more dedicated to it." — Devin, WILL Member

A day of good fun and camaraderie in February, WILL members grew closer by bowling together at DC's Lucky Strike bowling lanes.

Also in February, we experienced an incredible evening in Georgetown, dining out and later being entertained by a talented jazz/swing quartet as part of the Dumbarton Concert Series.

On a special tour of the Discovery Channel studios in March, we were shown the behind-the-scenes technologies that go into putting on Discovery Channel shows.

During spring break, we spent three days with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) at one of its four facilities on the Bay. We explored and helped clean barrier islands, dredged oysters, made s'mores, and expanded our growing knowledge and appreciation of our role in the Bay's future.

In April, WILL members and their families learned about the "mysteries" of the college admissions process and what colleges look for in prospective students.

On May 20— a full-day service project, cleaning up Rock Creek Park, an under-appreciated jewel in Washington, DC.

"Cleaning up Rock Creek Park was a positive experience that everyone learned from-not just about cleaning up, but what it meant to clean." — Pablo, WILL Member

And in June, WILL members had an exhilarating and educational day learning about our Nation's history and finding hidden gems in the rich museums along the Mall.

The grand finale of our year was the WILL Expedition. This year, WILL's size necessitated two 7-day Expeditions, one in July and one in August.   WILL members backpacked along the Maryland section of the famous Appalachian Trail.

"Thank you, WILL, because of you, I was able to accomplish once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I LOVED the Expedition. Thank you." — Omar, WILL Member

WILL graduation, September 9, was both a joyous and reflective time for everyone.

Each WILL year is a little different. Along with the activities and adventures described above, past events have included a tour of the U.S. Capitol, a visit to the 3rd District Metropolitan Police Station (with a ride in a police motorcycle sidecar!), a tour of the Pentagon, and a DC United soccer match.

To view the 2004 - 2005 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2006 - 2007 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To return to WILL Programs, please click here.