Once a year for the last five years, there comes a week where all programming at the Academy is canceled. For three days, there are no classes, no work—even the kitchen is closed. In fact, most of the students aren’t even sleeping in their own beds.
Instead, everyone packs up and heads to Heber Valley Camp in the mountains above Heber City. The setting is beautiful and picturesque, a serene and refreshing break from the day to day goings on at the Academy. Instead of sitting in a classroom, you will find students out canoeing on a peaceful lake or walking a thin log, 20 feet in the air on a ropes course. Instead of working various jobs on campus, you will witness sidesplitting productions by staff and students performing in a hilarious lip-sync competition. Instead of playing video games or watching TV in their free time, you will find students gathered around the campfire telling stories, stargazing, and laughing together.
Monday begins with a flurry of activity as students pack their gear into a large trailer. There is always a buzz of energy as those that have been before share memories from the previous years with newer students. After lunch, everyone loads into the vans and heads up to camp. The girls sleep in the sleeping area at the back of the large pavilion, while the guys sleep in simple cabins a hundred yards away. After everyone settles in, there is a fantastic dinner, this year an Italian feast followed by a group sundae-building activity. People then disperse to play horseshoes, volleyball, or the ever-favorite, Mafia. Finally, the evening tapers off, and people eventually go to bed after night hikes, games, or just visiting.
After a sumptuous breakfast of french toast, our traditional service project is cancelled because of rain. Instead, staff and students pull out boxes of board games prepared as a back-up plan, while others toss a Frisbee around under the large pavilion. Eventually, the rain tapers down just enough for everyone to head to the waterfront to enjoy another favorite, some time on the lake in canoes or paddle boats. After lunch, the group heads to the challenge course where participants climb up a 20 foot long log, then cross another log to where they are hooked in to a long zip line. Positive peer pressure generally always prevails, encouraging those who may be a little hesitant.
After a delicious dinner of Mexican food, everyone is split into groups where they prepare for the evening event, a lip-syncing contest this time. The evening program is the most highly anticipated part of the camp where everyone is pushed a little out of their comfort zones. Following a hilarious program, some continue playing games, others go for evening hikes, while most gather around the campfire to roast marshmallows and visit. The next morning is mainly spent cleaning up, then heading home where programming is canceled for the day so everyone can recoup.
In many ways, Heber Valley Camp embodies everything that ScenicView is trying to instill in their wonderful adults. Everyone pitches in to get the work done without complaint. Everyone participates in the myriad of activities—even when it pushes them out of their comfort zone. Everyone treats each other with respect and kindness, even if they don’t normally get along. Of course, it isn’t perfect—there are still moments where processing and learning need to take place. But there is something unique about the environment up at Heber Valley that makes it much easier to learn and grow. There is a sense of unity and camaraderie that comes from being away from campus, even if only a day or two, that recharges everyone’s battery—including students and staff. It takes us out of the daily grind and refreshes us so we keep working, growing, and improving.
"Favorite part: Seeing Doug go above and beyond. He did the ropes course blindfolded and I'm pretty sure his moves at the Tuesday night program made some of the sister missionaries blush. It was awesome.
I was blown away by the Tuesday night committee. Their program was phenomenal and I couldn't believe at the work they had dedicated to it. Seeing students get out of their comfort zones in any scenario. This was especially evident at the Tuesday night program. It was awesome to see Brodie win and his excitement about winning. Overall it was a huge success!"
﻿"I think one of my favorite things every year is watching the students and staff come together to play, clean, and support each other. Although the cleaning or cooking aren’t usually everyone’s favorite, it fun to see students take the initiative! Oh and I also enjoyed Marty’s dancing moves/costume!"
I got to hang out with my three besties and my other half Which was nice.
I loved Heber Valley. This was my first trip and I cannot believe how much fun I had! TheTuesday night activity was the highlight of my trip! I loved seeing both staff and students interacting and how creative everyone is. The performances made me laugh so much and as the saying goes, "Laughter is the best medicine of all!" This was such a fun trip!"
Getting to know and interact with the students, and staff in different atmosphere than we usually find ourselves in at SVA. Heber Valley Camp provided me an opportunity, that helped me to see and understand some of my students a little bit better. Now I have more information, that can assist me in creating opportunities for success for the students I work with.
​It rained for a significant portion of the time, which I think was very beneficial in bringing everyone together. There were more group activities, especially with more people within a particular activity, than previously. There was an assortment of activities to pick from that helped most of the students and staff be involved in something at any given moment. It was also nice to just relax and enjoy observing the interactions that were taking place. I saw students come out of their shells in ways that I'd never seen before - participating in performance activities, interacting with peers, and helping each other with various camp responsibilities. ​At the end of the camp, we all pulled together to help clean and pack-up. I wanted to jump right in with directions and requests for help, but decided to wait and see what would happen - our students impressed me with their willingness to serve, take initiative, and problem solve on their own! We all returned tired after such an amazing and uplifting time!
What did you like about Heber Valley?