06/02/2026
Inside TEEVACKS 2026: What Does Growth Sound Like?
Written by Russell Clark for Onward & Upward
"Take your time."
"You've got this."
"How does your body feel right now?"
"It's your choice, but I believe in you."
These were some of the phrases explored during Onward & Upward's annual TEEVACKS training (Training Essential Employees Values, Abilities, Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills), where our staff and leadership team gathered to prepare for another summer of outdoor adventure, growth, and learning.
Over four days, instructors strengthened their skills in youth development, risk management, outdoor leadership, and experiential education, preparing to facilitate meaningful and transformative experiences for the young people we serve.
Here's a look back at a week of learning, growth, teamwork, and adventure.
One of the foundations of the Onward & Upward approach is Challenge by Choice with a Voice. We begin every program with these lessons because they form the foundation of everything we do.
At first glance, it sounds simple: participants choose their level of involvement in an activity. But meaningful choice requires something deeper. It requires self-awareness.
During training, new instructors, interns, experienced educators, and master teachers explored a powerful question:
How do we help students recognize and navigate their own emotional and physical responses during challenges?
Using a shared language of Comfort Zones, Stretch Zones, and Panic Zones, staff examined how facilitators can help students recognize their internal experiences, build confidence, and make intentional choices about challenges rather than simply pushing through discomfort.
Together, staff identified several key practices:
• Offering options instead of ultimatums
• Focusing on effort, reflection, and growth rather than outcomes
• Normalizing fear, hesitation, and personal boundaries
• Communicating belief without applying pressure
• Helping students notice what their bodies, emotions, and thoughts are telling them
One insight rose above the rest:
Success is not completing the activity. Success is recognizing your challenge, making a conscious choice, and learning something about yourself along the way.
Take a look back at TEEVAKS 2026.
