If you’ve ever climbed Hogback Mountain, then you can appreciate the effort it takes for local youth to complete the Hogback Challenge, an educational event coordinated by LCSNW Klamath Falls. This year’s challenge took place on Sept. 26.
On a sunny Southern Oregon Saturday morning, 14 participants ranging in age from 9 to 17 set out from a trailhead near Foothills Church with water bottles in hand.
The idea behind the Hogback Challenge is for young people to participate in an outdoor activity alongside peers and members of the Klamath Falls community, while learning about the effects of nicotine use and the importance of making healthy choices.
As youth made their way up the trail, they felt the physical demands of the hike and could reflect on how choices such as nicotine use can affect their lungs and overall health.
Reaching the summit also provided a sense of accomplishment. Completing a grueling hike can demonstrate to youth they can persevere through challenges and reach the finish line—lessons that extend far beyond the trail.
Most of this year’s participants completed the roughly 3.5-mile hike. When several were asked about the experience, they shared that they’d like to return next year to challenge themselves again.
The Hogback Challenge is organized by Klamath Project Youth Empowerment (KPYE), a program of LCSNW’s Klamath Falls District. KPYE focuses on nicotine prevention while hosting creative, engaging ways to connect with youth.
Follow KPYE on Facebook
“I hope this is a memory that stays with them,” KPYE Supervisor Keith Serrine said about this year’s hikers, in an interview with the Herald and News. “I hope they walk away knowing they can push themselves, overcome something difficult, and succeed, and that they don’t need substances to have a good time doing it.”
The first Hogback Challenge was held in 2021. As it continues to grow, KPYE hopes to reach more youth and create opportunities to connect with peers, engage in healthy activities, and learn the importance of making choices that support their health and future.
