Why We Chose the Name Scenic Route Sports

We could have walked straight back down the trail we started on. It was more of an ATV road – wide and easy hiking. But instead, we decided to take what I told the kids would be the scenic route. It was a rocky, single track side trail that traversed the edge of the mountain range allowing for sprawling views of west Texas and eastern New Mexico while taking a more natural course into valleys, across creek beds, and up and over low ridges. Aidan and I had fallen far behind the others, but I did not worry as we patiently picked our way across rock fields guided faithfully by the rock cairns, ever-present pillars of the mountain trails. At times, the trail completely disappeared, but the rock cairns beckoned us forward, at our pace, in the direction our friends had taken. I was in a legitimate wilderness with a teenager who was new to the backcountry, but I am a decent outdoorswoman. What could go wrong?

After hiking for a while, Aidan and I came upon the edge of a cliff with no obvious way down. We doubled back, but still could not find the rock cairns. Those guiding pillars were just gone, and we had no idea which way to go. In life, pillars are important because they show us the way we have come and the way we are going so that even when we travel through the wilderness, we are never really lost or wandering. We are actually on an intentional and direct path to exactly where we need to be. We set up pillars for life through the traditions we build in our families, churches, sports teams, and communities. We are going to take the scenic route through life, but as we do so, we must follow the pillars set up by the generations before us and be sure to explain what they mean to the generations that come after us.

In the adventure that ensued, we were reunited with our group but all twelve of us (two adults and ten children) were completely lost and off the trail. We worked patiently together to make our way along a creek bed that we thought might cross the road, but eventually, we had to climb and help each other up a small cliff to get back to our vehicles. Most of us could not have made it up that wall on our own. We needed each other. Several in our group were on their first backpacking trip ever. We were with an eclectic group of friends and neighbors from completely different and separate segments of our life, but the teamwork, the challenges overcome, the camaraderie developed were the learning experiences that have laid the foundations and prepared each of us for a myriad of other challenges and adventures that we have encountered after we all went back to our separate and dispersed lives. The Scenic Route is always a learning experience that develops our character.

Life is like that. We go through arid places, many wildernesses, but God is still with us. In fact, He leads us by the pillars He provides. It often feels like the long way around, but it’s the right way. It is the only way to take if we are to become the most complete version of ourselves.

In the wilderness, we are free from distraction, which creates the perfect environment for listening and learning and growing. The extra time in taking the scenic route allows for preparation for all the things we will encounter when we reach our destinations. The long journey also gives us the opportunity to learn that God provides for us where we are.

This is how God deals with people. He takes us the long way on the journey to prepare us, teach us, unmistakably provide for us, grow our faith, and make us better people. Our coaches have all experienced sport as a gift, a tool, that God has given us to share life with each other and build relationships as we walk along the road together in our communities. We know the potential that sports have to prepare kids for life. Our name reminds us what it means to take the Scenic Route together.

Good news for parents: We are tearing down the pillars erected by our broken culture in the name of youth sports and instead, resetting the pillars that God has assigned to it, and we are following those pillars. We are developing character and instilling traditional sport values like fair play, smart work and discipline, perseverance, how to work as a team (and all of the relational ups and downs that implies). We are helping each other up and over the cliffs we encounter. We value people regardless of their income level, education level, fitness level, religious affiliation or lack thereof, side of town you live on, or brand of purse you carry. The door has been flung wide open, and everyone is invited to play sports with us because this is how we help each other through the messy, nitty-gritty to get to the next destination on the Scenic Route.

By the way, even as you are huffing and puffing, crusted with sweat and sunscreen and trail dirt, do not forget to stop and enjoy the view.

As always, if you want to trade trail stories or plan a group adventure, contact me!

~Coach Melissa

Ps. Chase, a new hiker in the lead group, was knocking over the rock cairns as he went along. That is how we learned how important it is to explain to new hikers that those quirky columns of stone are meant to be there and serve an important purpose. Live, learn, and laugh! ~M

The Famous Rock Cairn at Swiftcurrent Pass in Glaciar National Park