LA VIDA’S VISION
Provide a supportive experiential environment that encourages participants to explore the meaning of their relationship with Jesus Christ and foster a deeper personal commitment to Him.
BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW LA VIDA GOT STARTED AND WHY IT EXISTS
La Vida began in 1970 when Young Life leaders, seeing the impact of Outward Bound, began bringing city youth on wilderness trips. The program functioned under Young Life for 10 years and then became a partnership between Young Life and Gordon College until Gordon took full ownership in 1982. By 1986, the program had become so popular that it became a graduation requirement (along with the on-campus Discovery program).
Currently, in addition to trips for college students, La Vida runs 8-12 day wilderness discipleship expeditions for high school youth groups, Christian schools, and for high school students individually.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL WILDERNESS ADVENTURE TRIP?
Success for us is measured through students experiencing God in new and exciting ways. If someone comes back from a trip and expresses that they interacted with God differently than they have before, and in a way that allowed them to gain a better understanding of His grace, we’ve been successful.
HOW LA VIDA INTRODUCES PEOPLE TO CHRIST OR HELPS PEOPLE GROW IN THEIR FAITH
Using adventure, community and challenging experiences, we believe that people can get introduced for the first time, or reintroduced to a God that loves them unconditionally.
DURATION OF TRIPS OFFERED
They offer 7-14 day trips!
EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING ELEMENTS TYPICALLY INCLUDED IN THEIR TRIPS
- Daily devotion or quiet times
- Solo experience (either a few hours or day-long solos)
- Teachable moments or trail talks along the journey
- Having participants share their testimony or life story
- Peak climbs
- Rock climbing
- Canoeing
- Backpacking
- Practicing and Teaching Leave No Trace Ethics
PROMO VIDEO
COSTS
Trips cost $700-$800.
