
- Resiliency Course
- Partnerships
- About Us
- …
- Resiliency Course
- Partnerships
- About Us
- Resiliency Course
- Partnerships
- About Us
- …
- Resiliency Course
- Partnerships
- About Us
Fall Resiliency Course
This is a picture of the late, great Roger Bannister. In 1954, Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute mile. Many said it was impossible to do. Here are three important lessons to take away from his approach to doing the impossible:
- He didn’t break the four-minute mile by running as fast and far as he could each day. In fact, he usually ran no more than 30-minutes per day. He did it by studying neurology. You are not going to do something that has never been done before by doing the things that everyone else has done before.
- Many thought that breaking the four-minute mile would be “impossible”. Critics are too quick to label something that is really hard as impossible. When in fact, “improbable” or “unlikely” are more appropriate words to use.
- In 1855, Charles Westhall set the first official mile-run world record at four minutes and twenty-eight seconds. It took nearly 100 years for the first person to break the four-minute mile afterward. The second person to do it? It only took a month. Because it is far easier to do things once we can imagine them.
When we can imagine change it's easier to make it happen. When we shift our posture from "I can't do this" to "It's my turn" we open up the door of possibility. Finally, if we are serious about challenging our status quo, we must do things that we have never done before. It's your turn.
This is just one of many stories we will be sharing with your students as part of our summer workshop to build resiliency. The key to building resiliency as a skill is to tell a better story about adversity to improve your quality of life. Too often, we stand on the edge of something great and daring (much like Bannister), but we hesitate. We blink. We are so pleased that you didn't blink, that your student has leaped into the void. Pivot Adventure is a life-changing experience for those who are thirsty to learn.Let's get started.
Registration is by referral only for Draper Middle School students.

Draper Middle School (Hiking + Mtn. Biking)
Mondays - TBD
8:30 am - 1:30 pm (17 spots left)
Frequently asked questions
What is a Resiliency Course?
Canyons School District students will have an opportunity to participate our Resiliency Course. All highly resilient people have one common characteristic and that is the ability to reframe the story they are telling themselves about their lives. When we take adversity and turn it into a learning experience, our quality of life dramatically improves. Adventure activities take students on a journey outside their comfort zones and into growing zones. With the help of Pivot Adventure Guides, students learn how to respond, rather than react, to adversity. Without this guidance, this process can take years of trial and error.
Who's it for?
12 to 15-year-old students who are currently enrolled at the school which will soon be announced. There are 10 spots available for Outdoor Rock Climbing and 7 spots for Mountain Biking. Spots will fill quickly--don't delay.
Note: Students will be given priority based on need and the school they attend. Part of the opportunity is for students to meet new friends at the school they will be attending this fall.
How much does it cost?
This course is FREE for Canyon School District students. If you get a chance, send a thank you to CSD Student Services for working so hard behind the scenes to provide this opportunity for your student to enjoy.
How do I register my student?
Click REGISTER under the school you attend above. Fill out the Smartwaiver on the next screen. We will reach out with further instructions via email if your student has been selected for the course. If spots are filled, we will put your student on a waitlist. If a spot opens up, we will reach out to get you going.
Please note: All families must carry health insurance that covers their children in order for them to participate.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please email us at: leap@pivotadventure.comHow do I know if my student has been selected to participate?
Spots will completely fill. Please don't delay to register. Unfortunately, there is such a demand, we will not be able to have everyone participate.
Is transportation provided?
Yes, Pivot Adventure will provide transportation to and from the school. Please be on time for pick-up and drop-off. Pivot Adventure Guides will not be able to wait for parents. If we are late for any reason, please don't panic. Student safety is our number one priority and sometimes it takes a bit longer than planned to get off the mountain. Pivot Adventure Guides will notify parents if they are running more than 10 minutes late (or early) to the school.
What clothing and equipment do I need?
Pivot Adventure provides all of the technical equipment needed. You don’t need to buy or bring anything unless you want to. If your student requires glasses, retainers, or orthotics those items should be brought on your own. Students will need to provide their own clothing. Most prescription medications are fine to bring, for the safety of our students please let us know to make special arrangements.
Here is a list of odds and ends you'll want to consider bringing for each activity:
- Water bottle - It is very hot out there right now.
- Tee shirt or lightweight breathable long-sleeve shirt (shirts should cover the stomach so that the harness does not chafe).
- Comfortable pants, leggings, or shorts (shorts must be at least 6 inches long to cover the legs so the harness does not chafe).
- Lightweight sweatshirt or jacket if needed.
- Comfortable closed-toed athletic shoes for walking to climbing areas, mountain biking, and for group activities (no flip flops or slippers like Vans).
- Small backpack to carry water and snacks. Please no peanuts of any kind. No food will be provided by Pivot Adventure.
- Beach towel, we will be playing water games.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are encouraged.
Pivot Adventure will provide all the climbing equipment:
- Harness
- Rock Climbing Shoes
- Belay Devices
- Carabiners
- Ropes
- Helmets
- Instruction
Pivot Adventure will also provide all the mountain biking equipment:
- Mountain Biking
- Helmets
- Pads
- Instruction
Note: Any personal gear will need to be visually inspected by Pivot Adventure Guides before being used. Pivot Adventure reserves the right to say no to anything we think is suspect.
How does the scheduling for the classes work?
AM Class: Please meet us at 8:30 am sharp at a designated school. We have a tight schedule and we want to maximize everyone's time for climbing and biking. Students will be transported to and from the climbing/biking site and school by Pivot Adventure. The climbing/biking activities, facilitated by Pivot Adventure's Guides, will take place from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Students will be dropped off at the designated school at 1:00 pm. Please be on time for pick-up, Pivot Adventure Guides will not be able to wait with students while they wait for pick-up.
PM Class: Please meet us after school at the designated school. We have a tight schedule and we want to maximize everyone's time for climbing and biking. Students will be transported to the climbing/biking site by Pivot Adventure. The climbing/biking activities are facilitated by Pivot Adventure's Guides. Students will be dropped off at Entrada / Diamond Ridge High School at 7:00 pm. We ask that one parent/guardian to attend the debrief which usually lasts 30-45 mins. Please be on time for pick-up, Pivot Adventure Guides will not be able to wait with students while they wait for pick-up.
What is your attendance policy?
This is a sprint and the other participants of the course are counting on you to be fully present. If you are unable to fully commit to the dates above, please don't register. We understand if family vacations or other activities may conflict. Allow the opportunity to other families who may be in real need of something like this.
WITHDRAWAL: If in the opinion of our Guides, a student is actively taking away from someone else's experience or is being unsafe, we’ll ask them to withdraw from the course.
Where will the students be climbing?
All itineraries are subject to change due to weather, group dynamics, and site availability.
Tentative schedule for Outdoor Rock Climbing at the moment:
Week #1: Ledgemere, Big Cottonwood CanyonWeek #2: Challenge Buttress, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Week #3: Storm Mountain Park - Reservoir Ridge
Week #4: Storm Mountain Park - The Amphitheater (Rappelling)
Tentative schedule at the moment:
Week #1: Park City
Week #2: Park City
Week #3: Corner Canyon
Week #4: Corner Canyon or Lambert Park
What happens if it rains?
Pivot Adventure will monitor the weather. If we need to cancel activities, we will notify parents via email.
If needed, rain makeups dates: TBDIs this therapy?
To improve life, one must improve the quality of experience. At Pivot Adventure, we don't give insider tips about how to be happy. We don't even try. Instead, students learn to act. Act first. Act often. Together, once we commit to action, it gets easier to see. To see who we are and who it is we want to become, how people listen to our stories, and how difficult (or easy) it is to make an impact. Once we can see, we open the door to real learning.
Pivot Adventure does not provide any traditional (capital T) Therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or other modes of counseling. Instead, this is a skill-based course where students learn to draw a bigger box and lead, to challenge preconceived notions about what is possible, and to step out of their comfort zones. (Which, quite often, can be therapeutic.) Group discussions will be facilitated around stories from history that can be used as a metaphor for students' lives. Students are encouraged to share what they have learned from their experience on the rock wall or bike track and how they can apply this to their lives outside the course. Pivot Adventure uses a challenge-by-choice model. Students will be encouraged not forced to participate in adventure activities and discussions. Our goal is to have every student realize they have more power than they can imagine if they begin to act accordingly.
How safe are the activities?
Students are placed in situations of perceived risk. For instance, if a student is afraid of heights, hanging in the air 40 feet off the ground will feel dangerous even though they are safely tied to a rope through an anchor. The very nature of these activities is what makes them relatable to the challenges students face. Two Guides will always be present in all the activities. Although we do our best to mitigate risk, risk cannot be completely eliminated. Students will be participating in action sports like outdoor rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, and mountain biking. Due to the nature of these activities, all families must carry health insurance that covers their children in order for them to participate.
What kind of support do you offer students who are having trouble with the adventure activities?
Everything we’re building revolves around this question. Most learning is ‘take it or leave it,’ and too often, the answer is ‘leave it.’ In the case of Pivot Adventure, we’ve put a lot of effort into creating an environment where students are supported by guides and one another vigorously. Pivot Adventure provides access to an encouraging community of peers. People like us do things like this. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Pivot Adventure uses a challenge-by-choice model. Students will be encouraged not forced to participate in adventure activities and discussions.
What if my student doesn't know how to mountain bike?
We will start at a pump track to evaluate the abilities of the group. Students will get an opportunity to practice beginner skills like how to stand over the bike, braking, and turning corners. The trails we will be riding afterward will likely be green trails (beginner). However, if your student has never ridden a bike before they may struggle with the course or not feel comfortable attending with other students watching. Pivot Adventure works really hard to create an inclusive experience. We welcome students with no biking history, but it will ultimately be up to you and the student to determine your comfort level and decide if you want to attend. Students will be provided helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. This is a beginner course to work on Resiliency Skills. The biking portion just provides the experiential component to create conversation for learning. If you are still not quite sure, please feel free to reach out with any additional questions. We are happy to help.
What kind of accessibility do you make for students with physical or mobile challenges?
Due to the nature of these outdoor activities, the sites we attend do not have ADA accessibility. We are a small nonprofit and do not have access to all-abilities specialty bikes at this time. However, we do know a couple of great programs that do a stellar job in this area that we would be happy to refer you to. Please reach out and we will get you their contact information.
Do students need a COVID-19 vaccine to participate?
COVID-19 vaccines are not required. Masks are not required to participate either.
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Salt Lake City, UT
Pivot Adventure - Utah-based 501(c)(3) transforming mental health care for teens.


