Refugee Education & Adventure CHallenge - REACH

08/17/2026

That is an official wrap on the final overnight camping trip of the REACH Summer Adventure Camp 2026 season! ⛺

For 2 days and 1 night, our youth completely disconnected from technology and immersed themselves in the healing power of nature. While academic studies frequently discuss the severe acculturation stressors that refugee youth face when adapting to a new country, very little research highlights a crucial solution: the profound impact of getting refugee youth outside into nature, together with their peers, completely offline.This weekend proved why this space matters.

🤝 Teamwork: Youth took total ownership, setting up tents, preparing all meals, and cleaning up in teams.
⛈️ Resilience: When an intense lightning storm rolled in at 12 AM, they took shelter together, finding security and joy as a group.
🏃‍♂️ Play: The days were packed with gaga ball, volleyball, basketball, kickball, board games, and hiking the wetland prairies.
🌲 Mindfulness: Youth challenged themselves on solo night hikes, picked fresh garden veggies, did artwork, and practiced calming exercises.
🔥 Campfire Intentions: Over s'mores, youth shared the stressors they want to leave behind and the positive behaviors they want to invite into the new school year.

🏡 A Special Thank YouOur deepest gratitude to Glen Hagen Farm Retreat for the generous use of their beautiful facilities. This nurturing environment made this transformative experience possible.

By stepping away from screens, these young people found a sanctuary to process transitions, build peer trust, and just be kids. Nature isn’t just a backdrop for REACH, it is a vital tool for healing and growth. 💚

08/16/2026

The summer of stormy, unpredictable weather.

08/15/2026

What an incredible final week of daily programming for REACH Summer Adventure Camp 2026! 🌲🚲🎳

Our resilient young leaders showed the true meaning of adaptability. Even when summer thunderstorms forced us to shift our plans, the youth brought unmatched energy and curiosity to every single day. Here is a look at how we celebrated our final week of day camp:

🚲 Big Marsh Pump Tracks: Campers challenged themselves on the bike tracks! Many practiced their balance and advanced technical biking skills, while some brave youth learned to ride a bike for the very first time. Others explored the beautiful reclaimed marshlands by foot and bike.

🎳 Bowling & Form Improvement: When a thunderstorm postponed our lake kayaking session, we pivoted to the bowling alley! The youth cheered each other on during friendly competitive matches while improving their form and approach.

🏛️ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Thunderstorms took over another day, giving us the perfect indoor science adventure. Campers explored Chicago's locks and deep tunnels, while learning about the common birds, insects, and small animals that share our local ecosystems.

🗺️ Botanic Garden Finale: We closed out our last day of day camp with an amazing adventure at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The youth completed a nature scavenger hunt, admired the shimmering summer globes made by artists, and explored the vibrant rose gardens. They also visited the Japanese gardens to learn about their unique design features and took home hand-folded origami cranes along with the special stories behind them.

⛺ The Adventure Isn't Over Yet!While day camp has wrapped up, we are keeping the momentum going. Our campers are heading out for an exciting co-ed camping trip this weekend!

🧺 Save the Date (Saturday, August 22): We cannot wait to celebrate all of our amazing youth alongside their families. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming end-of-summer family picnic and award ceremony!

Thank you to our curious youth, dedicated staff, welcoming Peer Mentors, and wonderful community for making this summer a memorable success! 🌟

08/08/2026

Week 3 of REACH Summer Adventure Camp 2026 is officially in the books! 🌲🛶

From Monday through Thursday, our exploratory youth engaged the surrounding wilderness. Our camp brings together a beautiful global community, with brilliant young leaders originating from Afghanistan, Burundi, Eritrea, India, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, South Africa, Sudan, and Syria. Watching them connect, collaborate, and lead together as global and planetary citizens is what REACH is all about.

Here is what our environmental scientists and adventurers conquered this week:

🗺️ Botanic Garden Expedition: Explored the Chicago Botanic Garden through sensory investigations and a high-energy nature scavenger hunt, alongside magical visits to the butterfly garden, and the model train exhibit.

🌊 River Research: Conducted macroinvertebrate investigations to check local river health.

🌲 Forest Forestry: Headed deep into the woods to run real-world tree inventories.

🛶 Lagoon Kayaking: Practiced paddling, navigation, and water safety out on the lagoons.

🐾 Animal Investigations: Tracked and studied local wildlife to understand animal habitats.

From the riverbeds to the treetops, these youth brought their diverse perspectives, immense curiosity, and incredible resilience to every challenge. They are building environmental leadership skills and cross-cultural friendships that will last a lifetime!Now, time for a well-deserved three-day weekend to rest and recharge. See you all on Monday for our final week! 👋✨

07/29/2026

True leadership means protecting the community. This weekend’s REACH Summer Adventure Camp girls’ camping trip was an incredible masterclass in resilience, but it also brought some of our hardest youth development lessons to the surface. 🌲✨

The unbearable heat and thick humidity weren't the only challenges we faced. We also encountered the very real friction that happens when a small group chooses to resist group rules, push back against community responsibilities, and disrupt the collective peace of the camp.

In mentorship, the instinct is always to save everyone. But the reality of leadership is that not everyone is ready to accept accountability, respect boundaries, or choose the team over a clique. When that happens, holding a firm line isn't mean; it is necessary. Part of our responsibility to our girls is ensuring that our community remains safe, respectful, and supportive. Sometimes, that means making the heavy decision that certain individuals cannot return, because actions have real consequences.

We share this because real growth isn't a glossy brochure. It is messy, and it requires holding the line.Through this challenge, the girls who showed up ready to commit learned invaluable, unnamed lessons that will last a lifetime.

Protecting Your Peace: Learning that one person’s energy doesn’t have to dictate your own joy.

The Power of the Collective: Seeing firsthand how much smoother camp runs (from tent setup to paddling single kayaks) when people choose teamwork.

Healthy Boundaries: Understanding that being a leader means knowing when to lean in, and when to step away from spaces where you aren't respected.

For teen girls, emotional regulation is complex. Nature provides a mirror, but you have to be willing to look into it.

Despite the division, the core of our group shone brightly. We still cooked hearty meals, conquered solo night hikes, and watched the sunrise over the lake. The young women who chose community and respected the wild left stronger, closer, and more resilient than ever.We are deeply proud of our girls who stepped up, kept their heads high, and chose sisterhood when things got tough.

07/24/2026

Every time Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) gets kids outdoors, we see how nature transforms them.

At a time when youth face mental health challenges, too much screen time, and isolation, it’s more crucial than ever to get kids outside. That’s why we’ve joined the initiative from — to help ensure every child has the chance to learn, heal, and thrive in nature.

To learn more, go to 1mkidsoutdoors.org.

07/17/2026

Adventure awaits, with proven results! 🌲🏕️

This past weekend, the boys at REACH put their outdoor skills to the test during an unforgettable 2026 overnight tent camping trip.

Our campers stayed active by setting up tents, building campfires, cooking, cleaning in teams, playing sports (volleyball, soccer, badminton), and kayaking.

While these activities are incredibly fun, they are also deeply impactful. Research shows that structured nature exposure and nature-based learning significantly boost adolescents' physical endurance, lower stress hormones, and improve cognitive focus.

The weekend also focused on critical social-emotional development. By managing their campsites in teams, the boys practiced communication and conflict resolution. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, immersive green spaces naturally cultivate supportive social groups and build lasting self-discipline.

Finally, the boys pushed past their comfort zones by embarking on solo night hikes in the woods. This intentional exercise taught them to quiet their minds, overcome fear, and trust their inner selves. Clinical studies on youth outdoor adventure programs highlight that managed, age-appropriate risk-taking yields measurable gains in resilience, self-esteem, and emotional self-control.

We are incredibly proud to see these young men grow stronger, healthier, and more connected to one another! 🙌✨

07/15/2026

Refugee family in need of assistance after fire disaster.

Our friends from Burma are reliving their most horrific nightmare a… Susan Horgan needs your support for Support for the Salomon Family After Devastating Fire