As I finally set the canoe down my self-esteem rocketed to the sky!

What inner strength, what inner resources, what flexibility and confidence you guys are inspiring in my daughters. I cannot thank you enough!

Darrow was certainly the most important single influence in my life. It taught me lessons about the personal responsibility, loyalty, and ethics which have made my life work so much better.

The biggest change we've seen is an increase in personal responsibility -- his stuff was always organized and ready on our most recent trip (with no reminders from us) and he also saw what needed doing for the family and did it. We got back from our trip yesterday and his laundry is done and he has our dinner prepared -- again no requests from us.

I don't know how to describe to you what it feels like when I have just returned from a month in the rushing waters and
peaceful lakes. What I do know is this: my life has been changed by Darrow.

We sent you a miserable, cranky, oppositional, recalcitrant child and received back a serene, cooperative, full of self-confidence and able to do for himself young man. The change was remarkable. His honesty openness and willingness to participate in solutions fills me with awe and
pride.

I can look back and say that Darrow is the best thing that has ever happened to [our son] -- since going to Darrow, he is more respectful of others, more responsible for his own actions, and more considerate.

Now, eight years later, that first trip [to northern Quebec] has not faded that much. It is part of most days of my life. Knowing where we went, remembering the challenges we rose to and the scenery we shared makes life that much more colorful. It was, and still is, one of the most
beautiful and rewarding canoe trips that can be done.

On the days when the problems we have seem greater than who we are, we turn to the light that The Birches has planted in us and use the energy to move us through. The only way we know to thank you and to convey our feelings for Darrow is to take the gifts we've been given and share
them with others.

I am left with a smile on my face and a place in my heart that will never be replaced.