At GOAT we take a few routes when it comes to pursuing our mission, and we have several programs designed to build relationships and help students reach their God-given potential!
Partnership (Summer Forever)
Every Summer, we serve as a ministry to nonprofit organizations that serve vulnerable youth in the Greenville area. We serve these organizations by providing free, guided outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and paddle boarding.
Each trip is an opportunity for students to experience the outdoors and grow in wisdom and courage!
Mentorship and Leadership
Our Junior Guide program prepares students to lead in the way of Jesus, while growing in the skills and responsibilities required to guide their peers on outdoor adventures.
.jpg)
Adventure Team
Adventure Team is our year-long program, it’s made up of a crew of students and mentors dedicated to working through challenges and obstacles through adventure and community.
Junior Guide Internship
Jr. Guides start out on the Adventure Team. As they grow and mature these students eventually have the opportunity to accept a year-long paid internship, leading Summer Trips and partnering with our mentors to serve their peers.
Our Ministry Philosphy
We Start With Relationships:
Our staff, mentors, and guides initially meet many of our students through an outdoor adventure trip. We provide these trips as a free service to over 40 partner organizations in our community! These adventures provide experiences that move our students out of their comfort zones which further allows our guides, mentors, and staff to build transformative relationships.
We Move to Responsibility:
As students begin to grow as a result of adventures and relationships they receive opportunities to learn about their personal gifts, take advantage of leadership and job readiness training, and finally come alongside and serve with our staff, guides, and mentors as they eventually earn a job with us!
Why the Outdoors:
We believe that the outdoors offers a totally unique space for students to experience an adventure that may be a bit out of their comfort zone!
Most of our activities are so foreign to the students we work with, they have no choice but to trust our staff and mentors. The trust built on these trips creates a foundation for real transformative relationships. Beyond new experiences, the outdoors provide a fresh look at creation and often leads our students to consider its creator.
Because we are a Christian ministry, we believe these experiences parallel Biblical experiences in the wilderness and provide students a backdrop to learn more about their own faith.