BRADENTON (WSNN) – A Manatee County nonprofit helping at-risk youth, takes a group of boys on an adventure of a lifetime, Saturday afternoon But, it’s more than just fun and games.
From hanging off wires to balancing on beams, a group of teen boys take on TreeUmph! Adventure Course, an aerial obstacle course in Bradenton.
“A great way for kids to come out to have fun, but also to find a new sense of direction in life,” TreeUmph’s Assistant Manager and Rescue Guide, Ryan Zimmer said.
This is why these boys are here today. Replay Outreach is a non-profit helping teens get on the right track.
“For me, my life wasn’t easy always, but you be around the right people it’s going to change your mentality,” recent Manatee High graduate who is in Replay Outreach, Clinton Matthews said.
Through some guidance, mentorship, and character-building courses, the program helps them achieve just that.
“Some just grew up in a single-parent home, so we just try to be that advocate for them, standing in their place, and just motivate them in their journey,” Replay Outreach’s director of training, Vernon Kearney said.
What better way, than to zip-line out of your comfort zone.
“To show them that in life, that there are going to be obstacles, but you can achieve them if you just continue to keep moving forward,” Kearney said.
Because it’s more than just a fun adventure course.
“It’s going to challenge me not to quit,” a sophomore at Braden River High who is in Replay Outreach, Ziion Lobban said. “This is something I want to complete. Even though it’s nothing big, to me it is. I completed something.”
The Replay Outreach teens learned how to overcome obstacles, take personal responsibility, and accomplish their goals.
If you want to volunteer, mentor, or join the program, you can visit Replayoutreach.org.
