Seven Sisters
Guest post by Sarah Gelinas, Program Director of Eckerd E-Nini-Hassee: Outdoor Thereapeutic School for Girls
Last week we had the pleasure of having “Doc” Klein from Alpine Towers International come out to E-Nini-Hassee to teach a ropes course facilitator training. E-Nini-Hassee: Outdoor Thereapuetic School for Girls uses ropes course and other challenging, yet fun outdoor activities as part of its holistic approach to girls mental health and healing.
There were seven counselors included in Doc’s training: Shannon Ferraro, Stacy Breton, Chelsea Shackelford, Rachael Hurst, Lindsay Cardamone, Jessie Giamichael and myself, Sarah Gelinas. We spent two days learning a variety of ropes course techniques, developing a relationship with Doc, and fighting the weather of Huricane Hermine which had hit only miles or so away from us.
Doc was an incredible asset to have and taught us so much. He was patient, kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Over the course of those two days we were able to share our passions together. One of Doc’s passions is poetry and on the last day of training he surprised us with a poem he had written the night before about our training. Receiving the poem was very touching and we wanted to share it with everyone.
RAIN CLOUD SKY DANCERS
tucked away
in a quiet little corner
of the north florida woods
lies seven amazing women
“amazing you say?
what makes them amazing?
“well, you really need to see them in action”
i respond,
but imagine seven women climbing, caring,
learning, teaching, persevering, laughing,
being open-hearted, trusting, collaborating,
sharing, helping, smiling, struggling, and
raincloud sky dancing.
the latter seems particularly impressive
as the skies let loose and the rain came down
anyone can dance when the weather is fair,
but to become a raincloud sky dancer,
you must have a heart of gold and a will of steel
seven amazing sisters reaching for the stars,
becoming a constellation of family
in service of those who do not yet believe
it is possible to soar
but they will someday,
just you wait and see
