The SLAQ Summer Faith Adventure is an opportunity for the next generation to discover life as part of God’s “sacred story” through Real-Life: Adventure, Community, and Story.
Check out this intro video where you will get a taste of what the Faith adventures is, how it works, and why we do it.
As an intro to the Faith Adventure Stage 1 SLAQers (open to rising 8th graders and older) will peddle and paddle over 100 miles, through Big Savage Tunnel, across the Mason Dixon line, over the Continental divide, and along the Casselman & Yough rivers as a part of a real-Life bike packing adventure on the Great Allegheny Passage (Gap Trail). All with the support of the SLAQ Wagon hauling their camping gear & providing their food.
SLAQers ready for stage 2, will complete 140 miles, starting on the Gap trail, sharing the same journey as the “Campers” but extending their adventure for an extra day onto the C&O Canal. Unlike “Campers” Packers must make their journey while packing their own gear on their bike along the way. Meals will continue to be provided by the SLAQ Support Crew.
Stage 3 of the faith adventure is when SLAQers really begin to take on more personal responsibility as they continue beyond the Gap Trail, and venture out for an extra 3 days/100 miles on the C&O Canal. All while packing their own gear and food without the support of the SLAQ Wagon, and being entrusted to develop their own communal practices. This 9 day epic adventure which totals 250 miles of Bike-packing is by invitation only for those SLAQers who have completed the previous stages of the Faith Adventure.
Note: Must be 16 or older, and have completed an earlier stage to join the Venturers Trip
Individual youth (over 17 years of age) that have completed all three stages of the SLAQ Adventure, have the support of their family and community, and have shown the maturity and resiliency necessary, will be invited to participate in the SLAQ Sojourners Trip. Whenever possible we encourage this trip to function as a rite of passage that incorporates the support of their family & community. While a given rite of passage may or may not correspond with the typical “Faith Adventure” week, the experience will be unique in requiring greater levels of maturity and independence as the youth develops and determines their own itinerary.
Note: Sojourners is by invitation only and must be 17 years old.
Bike packing as it’s name implies requires a significant amount of gear. However, much of what you need you already have, and much of what you don’t have is affordable. And if you can’t access all your own gear let us know, we have many items that can be borrowed.
Every SLAQ Adventure costs participants $400 ($300 for additional family members) and includes guide fees, rentals, camping, & food, while white water rafting is $50 extra. Scholarships available for youth from diverse cultural backgrounds and/or those living under the poverty level.
Sign up for our periodic newsletter, where we will share highlights from the monthly SLAQ day excursions, updates about upcoming SLAQ Events, and ways to continue to Support the Vision and Mission of SLAQ
Get a little glimpse into what a SLAQ Faith Adventure looks like via our highlight video from 2021
Updates, photo highlights, quotes, and musings on Instagram & Facebook
To learn more about our parent organization visit inthecoracle.org