What are people saying about Trail?
Below are some collected testimonies from hikers, parents, youth leaders and WT Staff over the years.
Perched upon Buzzard Rock on Whitetop Mountain, Leslie and Melissa talk about what WT means to them.
Summer 2010 participants speak about their experiences with Wilderness Trail on our porch.
Other Voices (offered in ink)
"Wilderness Trail played a huge role in shaping my faith as a youth, and having the opportunity to serve the ministry as a staff member has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve never been involved in any other ministry that so clearly changes lives and hearts. My walk with God always seems clearer when I have nothing but a pack on my back and the wilderness all around, and it is exciting to see the same change happening to hundreds of youth that come to Wilderness Trail. Not only have I learned what it truly means to be a part of the body of Christ, but I’ve experienced God’s grace in a way that makes me a better person each and every day." – Erin, 2007-2009 Summer Staff, Florida
"Trail has been an experience where God continues to reveal truth to me. I have learned that it is truly better to give than receive, through my experiences of helping others before myself on Trail. I also know now that God won’t always take us off the mountain of our problems, but give us the strength we need to get over them. God revealed His goodness to me this year and it brought me to tears, tears of pure joy. I hope everyone can get a chance to learn through the experience of Wilderness Trail." -Colby, hiker from Florida
“The retreat at the property is the beginning of the experience for groups. It is a time where individuals come together as a group. The activities held throughout the retreat are comprised to not only prepare the hikers for a week In the wilderness, but to allow the groups and Hiking Staff to become a family. For me the times of worship are the pinnacle of what Wilderness Trail is about: my group and I are worshipping together. These times are when the walls between us are dropped, and we are allowed to get down to the basics: singing, praising and learning together about our Lord.” – Stephen; Youth Director and Former Wilderness Trail Staff, North Carolina
“My experience with Wilderness Trail can be described as nothing less than divine. Each hike, each step serves as a holy ground for me, something on which my journey of faith can be built upon. Whether it is hiking alone, atop the second highest mountain in Virginia, or forming long lasting friendships; I know that God is with me. So in the end Wilderness Trail is not just a week long trip, but the beginning of an even longer journey.”– Alex; Staff, North Carolina
“I initially began coming to Wilderness Trail because I wanted to have a fun week backpacking in the wilderness. That’s exactly what Wilderness Trail is, but there is so much more to Wilderness Trail beyond the hiking. This previous summer’s theme On Holy Ground really made me reassess my priorities of what truly is important in my life. My week at Wilderness Trail has made me slow down in my ‘busy life’ to really admire God’s creation and not place insignificant things in life before God.” –Anton; Junior Staff, Georgia
“Wilderness Trail has taught me that joy in life does not and should not come only from getting to your destination. God has called us to enjoy life for Him, not to just plod along waiting to get to heaven. And while it’s not easy to be joyful while you’re hauling 30 extra pounds up a hill, that’s exactly what life is like. With God, we can have joy even in the midst of the hardships. If you can’t enjoy the work that gets something accomplished, you won’t get much joy out of life.” –Dan; Hiker, North Carolina
“I cannot think of anything I’d rather be doing than spending my summer up at Wilderness Trail. The ministry that God has laid out in the mountains of Virginia facilitates a way for us to dive into adventure, meet in fellowship, grow in our faith, and see God on Holy Ground.” –Brent; Hiker, North Carolina