Do you have a mission in life? If so, and you are a local teen, Julianne Lester wants to hear from you. Lester is founder, president and co-owner of Just Live, Inc., a company offering zipline tours, ropes courses challenges
Do you have a mission in life?
If so, and you are a local teen, Julianne Lester wants to hear from you. Lester is founder, president and co-owner of Just Live, Inc., a company offering zipline tours, ropes courses challenges and rock wall climbing, near Puhi.
“Our mission is to provide unique programs that enhance the positive development of youth, business and community,” Lester said.
And this mission enables Lester and company to provide team building and eco-adventure programs to corporations, community groups and youth.
Mission Possible is Just Live’s quarterly program directed towards teens. This free program utilizes outdoor activities that help students develop real life skills.
“The purpose is to basically give local teens an opportunity to develop self-confidence through adventure,” Lester said.
Lester had been volunteering and working in the non-profit sector on Kaua‘i for many years before she started running Kaua‘i Kids Camp in 2001.
This program was geared towards kids with special needs and was funded with money from a small grant. She started Just Live, Inc. in 2003 as a catalyst for other programs. But it was hard to turn a profit, so Lester incorporated corporate training activities and eco-adventure tours to help fund her camps and programs. Mission Possible began in June 2007 as a way, according to Lester, “to give back to the community.”
The Mission Possible adventure clinics include activities such as rock wall climbing, ziplining, challenge courses, ecology and environmental awareness and, perhaps most important of all, fun.
“This is a positive outdoor experience for kids,” Lester said. “There’s a huge need for this on island.”
Lester offers unique programs for corporate groups looking for a team building retreat, parents looking for a safe and exciting camp for children or a visitor to Kaua‘i just looking for an adventure.
“We’re just trying to stay true to that mission,” Lester said. “We’re just trying to do our part.”
Those interested in participating in Mission Possible must submit a 200-300 word essay explaining a mission they have in their life.
Mission Possible can then determine who should be selected.
The three free clinics will be held Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. The deadline for essay submission is Nov. 26.
For more information and essay submission instructions, go to www.justlive.org or call 482-1295.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
