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Exposure was started as a way of advancing the ministry of Young Life in the Dominican Republic. The leadership of Young Life here recognized that adventure was an excellent way for volunteer leaders and staff to strengthen the relationships with the youths to whom they ministered. They knew that students would grow much more during a weekend of adventure with proper guidance than they would on a normal weekend. They also recognized that the Dominican Republic was an incredible place for adventure activities. This Caribbean island nation has 10,000-foot mountains, a great climate that allows for outdoor activity year round, world-class rock climbing, incredible windsurfing, not to mention rafting, SCUBA diving, rappelling, caving, mountain biking, and many other possibilities. It made perfect sense to utilize these great natural resources to minister to teenagers. The program grew in popularity and was formalized as Exposure in late 1998 and the first full-time Exposure staff person was hired. |
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Christian wilderness experience programs are growing by leaps and bounds as people realize how valuable they can be to the growth of the kids involved. This is not another camp experience where they can choose to be just a face in the crowd - present but not fully part of what is happening. It is also not a week at the beach. This is a week or more of close contact with their peers and leaders. They will experience things that are difficult for them. They will get hot and sweaty. They will probably get on each other's nerves at some point. Yet this has a great way of breaking down barriers. Kids begin to bond and to examine themselves very closely. They ask big questions. They grow. This will be a trip they will remember the rest of their lives.
