Seeking Wellness From the Outside In CultureSeed helps underserved youth thrive story by JANET COOK | photos by KELLY TURSO and COURTESY OF CULTURESEED
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Kelly Turso
n the summer of 2019, Cynthia Juarez had an experience that changed her life: she went backpacking for the first time. Juarez, 17, a graduating senior in the Class of 2021 at Trout Lake School, has lived in Trout Lake since childhood, surrounded by the outdoors but not ever immersed in it. “I’d never done anything remotely close to backpacking or camping,” Juarez said. “So this was a big step out of my comfort zone.” She describes herself as “someone who didn’t really like going outside and being active in the outdoors.” She also had severe anxiety that prevented her from doing
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Courtesy of CultureSeed
Kelly Turso
WELLNESS
many things. The backpacking trip was part of a program called CultureSeed, which seeks to connect underserved and/or low-income youth with the outdoors. Despite her misgivings, Juarez decided to go on the trip. Along with four other youth, two “junior guides” and some adult mentors, she spent seven days backpacking and camping in the wilderness of Mount St. Helens. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Juarez said. “It completely changed me. I learned so much about myself and grew as a person.” The week included, among other things, strenuous hiking. “There were so many challenges for me, but I got a lot of support. That week, I was going through a lot, physically especially, but I made it through stronger.” The experience not only
Cynthia Juarez, above, who is finishing her third year with CultureSeed, at a rock climbing outing. SUMMER 2021 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
