Page 17 - Our Hands Fall 2020
P. 17
NEW AMERICANS
Big Dreams
in Big Sky
Country
ave Vermilye is a long time supporter of the amazed at the opportunity they had been given,”
ranch trips for refugee foster youth. He has been observed Vermilye. The group hiked up a 2000 ft.
Dinvolved with this wonderful experience-based elevation gain the first day. The trek took them to a
program since 2006, thanks to the generous hospitality beautiful lake, where the group, including Vermilye,
of Mick and Lucy McGraw, and has been on almost all the four boys and Samaritas staff member Eric Mikel,
of the trips himself. who had also been on the trip before, set
up tents and made a fire. Also along was
This year’s trip was a little different. volunteer Connor Cavallaro, who was just a
It was smaller, due to COVID-19 couple years older than the campers. “He
concerns. Only 4 young men related to them on a popular culture level.
traveled to the McGraw's ranch and It was a nice bridge between the ages,”
they flew for the first time, instead of said Vermilye.
making the several day round trip
drive. The interviews for the trip were Vermilye also shared that a couple of the
over phone and zoom. It was also an young men had made a lifesaving trek
older group- ages ranged from 17-19. from Columbia or Honduras to the
United States and having them explore
“One kid had never flown - fun to be a place where they are hiking for
a part of that for him - we made sure enjoyment in absolute beauty gave them
he had a window seat,” said Vermilye. a chance to reframe some of those
experiences. The also played in the water
The group arrived at the ranch at a mountain lake and hiked up to a
midnight Montana time - the very summit that was on the continental
first thing everyone noticed was, of divide trail. “They were just able to be
course, Big Sky country. The group all kids, and have some moments of
stopped and looked up at the starry canopy covering childhood with that freedom.”
the 12,000 acres of ranch land. “It was during the comet
viewing - we could see it,” said Vermilye. The group also encountered a 30 minute hailstorm,
which forced them to scurry to safety, but that too was
The first day the boys spent a lot of time exploring on a great adventure. All in all, this was a tremendous
the ranch…including the canyon with 300 ft. cliffs, and experience and something they will cherish forever.
a fishing reservoir. The group had no schedule, they
just enjoyed the time, including some informal horse
therapy, the view of the Rocky Mountains, and prepping For more information on how you can
for the backpacking trip. volunteer or become a mentor for our New
“They immediately came together as a group by Americans program, please contact Vicky
chipping in to help in the kitchen. We never had to ask Algarra at MAlga@samaritas.org
them to clean up, they were just so appreciative and
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