Longwalk Oklahoma Mission Statement
Dec. 16, 2008
Posted by Tom S. Hammack
The mission for the Longwalk Oklahoma Backpack Challenge is to
engage a select group of high school students in additional life-skills
learning opportunities through hiking adventures in a wilderness setting,
while building confidence, moral character, leadership, and teaching long
term goal setting and achievement as a way of life.
Dec. 22, 2008
Posted by Tom S. Hammack
What we strive to achieve with Longwalk Oklahoma
What makes taking a challenging backpack trip worthwhile? It’s the exposure
to a world that most have never seen; it’s the chance to experience for the
first time the challenge of a road less traveled; and for many, it’s the chance
to grab hold of some hope. We will equip these young leaders to return to their
schools as examples of hope. Hope to continue their education, hope to find a
career upon leaving school, hope that they can build that life of their dreams,
and hope for the others struggling to survive.
A study by Cornell University of men that survived being a POW showed the single
dominant characteristic to be the ability to feel hope. Another university study
placed lab rats in deep tubs of water, the group that got to see some of their
members lifted out of the water to safety continued to struggle for life- the
other group quickly gave up.
We all dream of being the hero, the leader others turn to in difficult times.
What if we could give some of our young people that very opportunity? We will
put these young people into positions allowing them to choose making personal
sacrifice for the sake of the team. We will teach servant leadership, and we
will introduce them to members of our community that will serve as role models
and support them in making good decisions.
We will support the efforts of those that rise to the call of leadership. We
will refine their skills, and put them into the role of peer leadership. They
are the ones that will help lead us into tomorrow…
