In the Eyes of a Participant...

The following is a journal entry an at-risk boy wrote about his first day at AE:

"When I first arrived here I felt kind of nervous but happy to get away from my friends and hometown for a little bit. I am really learning a lot in this experience and it is very fun. Yesterday we ate hot dogs, nachos, KoolAid, and it was good. We also had a delicious meal for dinner yesterday. We went on a hike on Mt. Jo and it was kind of a challenge going up but when we went down it was pretty fun. We also got to have free time and during that we all got to know each other a little more and play games. I really like the staff that work here, they are very nice and helpful. It is hard for me to get used to the new environment because it is new beds and other stuff. I am really hoping to learn a lot while I am here so at home I can do some of the things when I am bored and so I do not get into trouble."