VALLEY VIEW — Kristina Lyons harnessed her fear of falling and took a leap.
Her “fall” from a 70-foot tree wasn’t the only challenge the Williamstown teen overcame while learning to trust others.
Lyons shared her experiences attending the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation’s LifeSkills Conference during a dinner Wednesday before members of Valley Lodge 797, the group who sponsored her trip.
The experience last July was transforming and enabled her to build lasting friendships, she said.
“I’m more trusting with people,” Lyons, a Williams Valley junior, said.
She attended the dinner with her mother, Sherry Bixler, and grandfather, Don E. Bixler, past master of Valley Lodge 797.
“I don’t have that fear of falling anymore,” she said.
Lyons answered questions and shared her experiences at camp, including rooming with five other girls and playing team-building games, and preparing for a talent show. Boys stayed in a separate area, but both groups participated together in the activities, she said.
Lyons, who said she’s normally a shy person, was challenged during the group’s field trip to a high ropes course.
“I loved it. They help you step out of your comfort zone, but only if you want to, and only if you want to take that chance. I climbed a 70-foot tree and jumped out of it, with a harness, of course. But, that was my huge fear, falling out of a tree,” she said.
Lyons, who turned 17 while at camp last July 21, said she wanted to go back to camp this year to work with others. She thanked the Valley Lodge for sponsoring her and said she was honored to have been chosen.
As for her future plans, she would eventually like to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster. She’s currently studying residential and industrial electricity at the Schuylkill Technology Center, South Campus, Mar Lin, under the direction instructor Dave Hess. She also works part time as a cashier at Redner’s Warehouse Markets, Hegins.
Lyons was introduced by Steve Klinger, chairman of the Youth Foundation Committee. Klinger explained the goal of the conference is to develop the three “R’s” — respect, responsibility and relationships. Klinger works as a consultant with Thom Stecher, who runs the adventure-based, problem-solving, team-building leadership conference. The nearly weeklong conference is held in mid-July at the Patton Campus Masonic Conference Center in Elizabethtown. The July 17-22 conference will be the 17th year of the program. Candidates must fill out an application form to be eligible. More information can be found at www.pmyf.org.
Youth from 12 to 16 who are members of a Masonic-sponsored youth group, are a relative of a Pennsylvania Freemason, or who are sponsored by a Pennsylvania Freemason or lodge are eligible for the conference. Youth 17 to 21 are eligible for the “LifeChangers Program,” held at the same location and time as the LifeSkills program. Costs of the conference are $300 for first-time attendees and $450 for those returning for a second conference.
Greg Otto, worshipful master, thanked Lyons for her presentation, and then offered her more good news — that Valley Lodge would be sponsoring her again this summer.
Sherry Bixler said the LifeSkills conference was a positive experience for her daughter.
“She has a different outlook on life, and she knows that life is what you make of it,” she said. “I want to thank the Masons for sending her.”