Peak 7 and the Airway Heights Police Department partnered in 2022 to launch PAL, a program designed to engage under-resourced teens attending Cheney Public Schools. Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) Patrick Carbaugh worked with the TALK 2 Healthy Choices Coalition, Communities In Schools, and counselors at the middle and high schools to identify students who were displaying unhealthy behaviors in either school or the community who would benefit from a structured summer program. The PAL program was offered four days per week for six weeks, providing students with a new adventure each day paired with free meals, transportation, and team building activities.

The PAL program’s pilot year was a tremendous success. In addition to the police department’s partnership with Peak 7 Adventures, numerous other community partners donated to ensure the success of the program. Grocery Outlet donated food to provide free meals and snacks. Wild Walls donated youth passes for students to try indoor rock climbing. Airway Heights Recreation Center donated funding to provide bus transportation for field trips. Fairchild Air Force Base provided an epic field trip for participants, flying in a KC-195 while refueling F-15s. Students also spent another day on Base learning about K9 officers followed by joining the helicopter squadron for a tour of their aircraft.

We are planning to welcome a new group of PAL students in 2023 and hope to raise additional funding for a girls program. If you would like additional information or to volunteer or donate, please reach out to Peak 7 Operations Director, Jenny Weddle.