Our OBC Burn Survivors program is our longest standing offering. The OBC program specifically provides survivors encouragement, challenge, and the opportunity to express current issues in their lives and recovery. It also provides medical staff the opportunity to know survivors beyond the hospital so they can see the long-term impact of their care. OBC participants are prominently featured in our program video and to be inspired by one participant’s story of impact, please watch Lynn’s Story.

New Avenues for Youth (NAFY) is dedicated to the prevention and intervention of youth homelessness. NAFY meets youth where they are - and help them get where they want to go. Our NAFY program is specifically for young adults ages 18-24. This LEAP program focuses on building social connections, positive engagement, and offering healthy risk-taking to grow experience and potential. Youth consistently report experiencing the ability to trust in a short period of time on the river, building healthy reliance, a shared experience of vulnerability, and gratitude for the opportunity to be away from the immense stressors of their daily lives.

“I learned that I can make choices. Everything is a choice. This experience got me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to push myself – which helped me realize that I have power in my life.”

— Participant, age 24

Friends of the Children’s mission is to provide our most vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become a healthy, productive member of the community. LEAP’s program with FOTC supports youth in their adolescent and final years in the FOTC mentorship program. Mentors accompany youth on the program, creating the opportunity for deeper connections in already established and strong relationships. Youth participants are able to step outside of their often chaotic lives, identify their strengths, and connect with their ambitions and hopes for their immediate future and beyond.

The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. LEAP’s Dougy Program offers youth ages 14-18 the opportunity to process their grief in a new setting, build community and friendships, go beyond what they thought they could do, and have incredible fun. LEAP was also able to offer a Dougy Center Adult program from 2015-2017.

“My child was struggling behaviorally just prior to their father’s death in the spring, but it was amplified immensely after. They were skipping school, failing classes, and ultimately one step away from juvenile detention as we headed into summer. LEAP offered my child acceptance and grace at a time when they needed it most, ultimately changing the trajectory of their life.”

— LEAP Parent

OHSU Doernbecher is recognized as one of America’s leading Children’s Hospitals. LEAP’s patient participants are all at a place in their health journey that their physicians support and encourage their attendance. Patient participants are living with diagnosis and illnesses such as epilepsy, cancer, heart conditions, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, among other conditions. The LEAP program provides patients the opportunity to process their experience outside the hospital environment, build community and connections with other kids living with illness, and be empowered by their physical capabilities.

“Since my child attended LEAP only 7 months after brain surgery, I was horribly nervous for them to attend. However, they felt safe, loved, and embraced by each and every person. They loved it so much they still keep in touch with some of the kids. LEAP seems to me like it empowered them. As parents we have coddled them for so long because of their illness and on their trip they did it on their own. They grew wings and I think it made them feel powerful.”

— LEAP Parent

OHSU Doernbecher also supports a separate program for youth who have a sibling being treated at the hospital. LEAP’s Sibling participants have the unique opportunity to step outside of their family roles, connect with kids who are dealing with similar grief and challenge, and reflect on their strengths and capacities. Sibling participants consistently report being inspired by the power of the river, the depth of their connections, and the relaxation of being unplugged in the wilderness.

“There was a lot of time to reflect on the events of the day, on our lives, but it didn't feel intrusive or forced. It felt like opening up and trusting others. This was a great feeling. Even months later I feel like I've brought parts of the river with me. When I feel overwhelmed I look up at the stars or stand outside and remember that whatever I'm feeling in that moment is really not as big as the world around me. It puts things into perspective and helps me realize that everything is going to be just fine.”

— Participant, age 16

The Edison High School exists to empower students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth while preparing them for a productive future. LEAP offers a program for rising 11th & 12th graders at Edison to support them in overcoming their fears, meeting and managing their anxiety, and providing opportunities for deeper connections with their peers. Our Edison program is unique as all of the students already have relationships with each other — but a week on the river provides the opportunity for them to learn about each other and build connections in meaningful ways beyond the classroom, as well as helping them identify strengths and goals for the year ahead and establish support and accountability with their peers and teachers.

UKANDU brings hope, joy and connection to communities impacted by childhood cancer. They help families find respite while helping their children reclaim classic childhood experiences. The LEAP program with UKANDU offers adolescent survivors and their siblings the opportunity to reflect and connect with peers more deeply in an environment that is just for them. LEAP also provides a well-supported physical and mental challenge for youth who may face greater uphill medical trials in seasons to come.

“I learned that my inner narrator can be very positive, that I am more capable than I think. I can be very fearless even when I feel anxious or stressed.”

— UKANDU participant, age 14