In the nearly seven years I have worked with our students, I have have been so fortunate to bear witness to the growth and healing that happens in this place. When families visit our school, they leave with the feeling that there is no other place like it in the world. Why? It is hard…
Read MoreAt Chrysalis, we engage in intensive work discovering and building our self-identity. There are few better ways to find out who one really is than by serving others. Making connections with, and finding the strengths of individuals in another culture halfway around the world helps to heal one’s own wounds and strengthens ideas about who…
Read MoreGarden variety opposition in adolescence is quite common, of course. Any kid who’s worth her weight in salt will push back at some point in her teen years, and it can become a bit of a dance after she’s rehearsed it for a few months, improving her technique. Parents often become unwitting partners in the…
Read MoreGifts come in all shapes and sizes, and accompany a variety of different occasions in our unfolding lives. They often come wrapped in brightly colored paper to add cheer, and have a ribbon tied around them. Sometimes a card is attached to add personal sentiment. Gifts warm us, make us feel loved and appreciated, and…
Read MoreThe summer of 2015 experienced early, heavy rains followed by drought, wildfires, smoke, trail closures, and a very unpredictable Mother Nature. While Northwest Montana and many other parts of the country hoped for rain, the outdoor adventurers took every opportunity to walk with nature – thankful for late sunsets and warm, sun-filled days. During the…
Read MoreThe tables were draped with fresh linens, flowers as centerpieces properly set the tables and the smell of delicious Italian food filled the air. When the words “date night” cross your mind many visions may run through your head. Here at Chrysalis a few of the staff and myself decided to have our own version of “date…
Read MoreSometimes headlines are quite obvious, and other times they’re a bit tricky. One wants to pinpoint the essence of the story, represented in a few key words, that delivers the best interpretation of the overall experience. The headline for the 2015 Chrysalis Father/Daughter Upper Missouri canoe trip fits into the tricky category. Why? I’ll try…
Read MoreWhat do hanging off a rock cliff, hiking in the Canadian Rockies, building trail in Glacier National Park, and floating in your PFD in a cold mountain river all have in common? For one thing, they are all exciting, outdoor adventures. They are also all activities that the girls at Chrysalis will have an opportunity…
Read MoreAs of Sunday summer has officially started! We want to wish you all a happy summer and happy late Father’s day to all you fathers! Speaking of fathers, this week we are excited to welcome 14 of our intrepid fathers here to Montana as we embark down the wild and scenic Missouri River for our…
Read MoreChrysalis has invested heavily in international travel with students over the past 15 years. I must confess that a part of the motivation to do this, originally, was selfish. Mary and I love to travel, and moving around the planet to explore different cultures and see beautiful places was gratifying to us. That being said,…
Read More