Through What Feels Impossible: The Importance of Challenge
This blogpost is adapted from an essay by Liza Watkins (Moody), Gordon College and La Vida staff alumni. Her essay was originally written in 2009 on why La Vida should continue to be a core requirement at Gordon. My arms and legs are shaking with fatigue. I’m on the...
From Fear to Flourishing: Lessons from My Discovery Class
Upon preparing to enter Gordon College, I was aware of the first-year outdoor education requirement– either Discovery, or an Adirondack Expedition. Even though I had outdoorsy experience before Gordon, doing trail crew and hiking often, I did not know what to expect....
The Hopeful Answer of Immanuel
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our...
Rock Climbing Roommates: A Commitment Move Community
Raucous laughter bounced jovially off the walls of Gordon College’s Bennett Center. “We’ve actually been doing a lot of board games!” was the next sentence from the mouth of Christian Kim, ‘22, co-president of the La Vida Rock Gym. He was sitting with his two...
La Vida and Holistic Health
Some of the most pivotal moments of a La Vida trip are the moments that most people wouldn’t think twice about. From first-time participants to seasoned staff members, there are a plethora of learning experiences on trail. Oftentimes we forget about the small gears...
How Could I Not Trust You Again?
The new Compass cohort stood swallowed in the middle of a towering high-ropes course. Ty Spencer ‘24 was among the group with wide eyes and thoughts racing: “There’s absolutely no way I’m getting on one of these.” But up he went, and as he kept going, he “got more and...