Niko is a Greek word for “to overcome” or “victory”. This is the same root as the word used for the Nike shoe brand. We offer 5-6 day backpacking trips that put our participants in the middle of challenges in the wilderness to experience victories in both personal and corporate accomplishment and self-awareness. By engaging these challenges they will grow as leaders and team players and build skills that they will use the rest of their lives in both the classroom and job field. Using skills in teamwork and leadership, groups participate in activities that range from using a map and compass to find their way in the wilderness to performing tasks that are out of their usual comfort zones. These tasks include cross cultural ones that stretch our worldview and service projects to a local community. This course focuses on team building, surrender, leadership development, and service. All these combine as models to build character and strengthen personal confidence.Students will be empowered as individuals and as powerful agents of change in their communities.
In Niko we break up into small groups of 4-5 students so that the learning and one-on-one feedback can have the greatest impact. For instance, a group of 20 students would have 4 teams of 5 participants. Each student will receive the opportunity to be the “Leader of the Day” to practice real-life decision making and leadership.
