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Program equips students for life
By Shawn Strannigan

Sisters kids attended Life 101 to get set for life beyond high school.

Sisters' Life 101 isn't a typical youth retreat. Participants learn about basic car care... and what to look for in a mate. They put together a meal from scratch... and discover the very different ways that men and women communicate.

It's not sponsored by the school or any particular church. This life-skills enhancing weekend evolved three years ago from a basic parental concern: Do my kids have all the skills necessary to survive life after high school?

As the Merrells' son neared graduation day, his mother, Carla, couldn't shake her growing uneasiness.

"One day the thought struck me, 'My boy is about to graduate, and I haven't told him everything yet -- he can't go!'" said Carla. "I was mainly thinking about practical skills -- things like cooking, sewing, how to iron a shirt."

She later discovered that their friends, the Adams, had been wrestling with similar questions. It was actually a kitchen fire at the Adams' house that prompted the idea of a retreat.

"Our boys didn't know how to handle the situation," said Laurie. "That fire was the catalyst that started me wondering if we'd taught Matthew everything he needed to know to live on his own -- both practically and spiritually."

As the two couples met and discussed the matter, they decided to bring a group of graduating students together to impart a few last "survival skills."

They came up with an outline, which interspersed practical and spiritual topics and included lots of hands-on experience. That spring, the Adams reserved a large cabin for the weekend at the Box R Guest Ranch (which is between Klamath Falls and Ashland).

About 10 seniors -- mostly guys -- attended the first retreat, and Life 101 was born. Nearly 20 students participated the second year.

This year, 11 seniors made the trek to the Box R to get a better grip on life.

"We teach them stuff that's kind of old fashioned," said Bruce Merrell. "Things that kids used to learn in school--or in their homes. Things that don't get taught anymore."

"That first year, I taught all the guys how to iron their shirts," said Carla. "They didn't have a clue! We taught them basic manners, how to treat a woman like a lady -- and for the girls, how to act like a lady."

The first night of each retreat, the students get all dressed up. Laurie Adams pairs them up and gives them a crash course in manners. The students then try out their newly acquired skills at the restaurant down the road from the Box R Ranch.

This year, the guy/girl ratio worked out evenly, and the kids ended the evening with an impromptu waltz lesson from Matt Adams.

With topics ranging from the power of sex to sewing on a button, the students get to grapple with issues of young adulthood. And they have a blast in the process.

"Life 101 is an incredible experience," said Brandon Overstreet, who attended this year's retreat. "I liked coming together with my peers, experiencing God with them, and picking up a few life skills along the way. It was helpful to think about some of the things I'll be facing in the future."

Overstreet plans to attend either Oregon State or Montana State and study engineering.

Colin Hedren enjoyed the talk about marriage and finding a mate. Classmate Dana Massopust agreed.

"I loved seeing the examples of these couples who have such good marriages," she said. "I know that no matter what examples I may have had, I can have a good relationship."

Adult participation is critical to the program.

"One of the things that makes Life 101 work is the high adult to kid ratio," said Laurie Adams. "We treat the students as colleagues, not kids."

For more information call 595-2638.

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