How a program at GOAL High School equipped us for LIFE!

By: Annabelle Reeves, GOAL High School – Class of 2025, Former GOAL Intern – Journalism, Fruita

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at us, often when we least expect them. For my brother and I the leadership and emergency skills which we learned through the GOAL Ventures outdoor experiential learning program became more than just part of an outdoor adventure. They became tools in our crisis. Our Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications, earned through ventures trips; gave us the foundation we never realized we’d one day need. 

My brother, Aaron Reeves , was about to enjoy his birthday snowboarding trip with a couple of friends. The car was crowded with 4 people and multiple snow boards, and there was a short ‘discussion’ about wearing seat belts. My leadership training came through as I quickly convinced them to buckle up or forget the trip.  

It was an icy drive up the winding mountain road, and despite going under the speed limit, I lost control of my car, sliding off the road and flipping into a snow filled ditch. In that terrifying moment, everything slowed down like a bad dream. Amidst the wreckage and dangling upside down, my brother calmly reminded me of the “Check, Call, Care” steps from our training. He then came around to the driver’s side and freed me of my seat belt.  

Guided by those three words, “Check, Call, Care,” we checked each other for injuries, called for help, and stayed calm as we waited for emergency services. My brother’s leadership and our shared training helped us manage the chaos and ensure the safety of everyone involved. 

This experience showed us that GOAL Ventures is about much more than learning to pitch a tent or navigate a trail. It’s about building the resilience and leadership to face real world emergencies. The certifications we once saw as part of our adventure toolkit became life saving measures when we needed them most. When people ask why I continue to return to GOAL Ventures; I tell them that the skills you learn don’t just prepare you for the wilderness, they prepare you for life and can even save a life. For that, I am forever grateful.

Top Photo: Courtesy GOAL High School Bottom: Allyson Joha, Former Photography Intern and 2025 GOAL Graduate

“Life begins where your comfort zone ends.”

—Elijah Bowman 2025 GOAL Graduate, Cortez