Dani Sakaal, rising sophomore, who attended Trip #1 to NV, UT, AZ and CO.
“Airplanes, luggage, and rent-a-cars are nothing new to me. I have been fortunate enough to travel frequently in my short 15 years. However, most of my traveling has been overseas and has been with family. Traveling with Run Republic Running Camp opened the world of teen tours for me, for which I am thankful. Something truly amazing was conceived by exploring new places with new people.
Run Republic Running Camp has given me the opportunity to gain new friendships with my peers, independence from my home, and appreciation for my country. The trip I took part in started in Nevada, went through Arizona and Utah, and then ended in Colorado. My favorite part from the trip was definitely hiking The Narrows at Zion National Park. The trip surprisingly catalyzed inspiration in my life as a runner, student, and member of the general public. I have become inspired to personally hike all the national parks in the U.S. ever since this company has provided the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.
I now have an immediate answer when asked for trip recommendations. I have made memories on this trip that will stick with me for a lifetime. This trip also provided me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and test my limits in a safe manner. I challenged myself to try independent kayaking while water rafting down the Colorado River as opposed to staying in the larger raft with the rest of my group.
I have been fortunate enough to embark on my journey with Run Republic Running Camp and witness parts of our country people travel the world to see, all in a humble and scenic atmosphere. Beyond our adventures, my coaches Doug and Melissa provided a fun environment to be around. All of our meals were consumed with their hospitality. At one point I laughed so hard during breakfast I started crying. Come to think of it, that may have been my favorite part of the trip. I’ve grown a newfound appreciation for both of my coaches. We all got to know each other so well. Candidly sharing our stories and our struggles strengthened our bond and has motivated me for the remainder of my running career.”