JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Joint Base Andrews Chapel and the Integrated Delivery System hosted a resiliency retreat at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in New Castle, Virginia, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2.
Tech Sgt. Krystal Cruz, 11th Wing deputy community support coordinator, said the goal of the retreat was to get 30 Airmen from the National Capital Region, E-4 and below, to connect with one another and conquer fear while building confidence.
"My fear was the hardest thing to overcome," Senior Airman Catherine Jessee, a 744th Communication Squadron voice services technician, said.
Jessee, along with other Airmen on the trip, has a fear of heights, which posed a challenge during some events.
"I tried to make sure I wasn't the first to go for anything because it made it easier for me to grasp that I was safe," Jessee said. "I told myself, 'if they can do it, I can too.'"
The trip included a low-elements course, low and high ropes course, a 5-mile hike, a 900-foot zip line, canoeing and other team building exercises.
With the Comprehensive Airman Fitness initiative in mind, the Airmen were challenged physically, mentally, spiritually and socially.
Airmen that attended the trip overcame barriers, fears and came together as a team, Cruz said.
"Going on this trip really taught me that I'm capable of seeing things in a wider scope," Jessee said. "I've been having tunnel vision, but by getting out of my environment, I learned that I don't have to get overwhelmed with everything. I'll find my way through it."