Skiing down snowy hills while new best friends snowboard beside you. Sunlight permeates the winter sky. Ice glistens around you. Wind catches your coat as you glide through Mammoth’s winter wonderland. Exhilaration. Breathtaking views. It’s almost as if you are flying.

One hand at a time. Slowly climbing up rough boulders. The climb is like a puzzle, searching for the next perfect grip with every breath. You are present with the rock in front of you, learning how to face challenges and how to get back up after a fall. You are powerful. You are unstoppable.

Paddling over waves on your surfboard, gazing over the endless horizon. The sun is warming your back. The sea is sparkling around you. A perfect wave forms in the distance, edging closer as your turn your board to prepare for the ride. The ocean sweeps you forward as you stand to balance. All at once, you are a part of the racing waves, balancing atop of the delicate foam. Your friends yell with excitement from the shoreline. Falling. Getting up. Paddling out again and again. It is incredible how much happiness can come from a board and a wave.

Warm water embraces your body. Billions of dazzling stars captivate your vision. Tall, snowy mountains form a ring around your pool. Conversing about the depths of our world that we rarely get to explore as teenagers. Your heart overflows with passion for these teens that recently were strangers. Ten teens. Two mentors. One heart-shaped hot-spring. Love.