History
1989
Organization begins under the name “Magik Treks”
First llamas are Merlin, Morgan, Mischief and Mandrake
Obtain US Forest Service permit for commercial llama treks in NC
1990
Conduct treks for older adults and for summer camps
Conduct treks for LD and ADHD youth through SOAR
Conduct first Women’s Empowerment groups
Volunteer with Forest Service to pack in supplies for trail crews
Base camp and llama summer home is at Gwynn Valley Camp in Brevard, NC
1991-1995
Continue treks for NC summer camps, such as Greystone, Ton-A-Wandah, Gwynne Valley, Burgess Glen, Mondamin, and Green Cove
Conduct treks for private schools, Charlotte Country Day School and Harmony School
Expand services to at-risk youth, including residential care facilities, like Elon Homes
Conduct treks for therapeutic foster care organizations
Work with special needs adoption youth through Children Unlimited
Conduct mountain treks and coastal nature study trips for Rutgers University students
Provide educational llama programs at Chimney Rock Park
Add new llamas to the Red Team – Sinbad, Foxy, Kwill, Bud
Move llama summer headquarters to Camp Pisgah in Brevard, NC
Change name of program to Challenge Adventures
Present animal assisted therapy workshops at the Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Conduct first workshops on animal assisted therapy and adventure-based counseling at Midlands Technical College
Begin summer internships on wilderness therapy for graduate students
1995-1996
Provide year-round adventure therapy program for adjudicated teens under contract with the Del Curry addiction treatment center in Charlotte, NC
Conduct ADHD llama trek groups for University of South Carolina Social Work Specialty Clinic
Continue treks for summer camps and Girl Scout groups
Begin annual “Tea with the Llamas” event at the Cradle of Forestry
Move year-round base camp to Hyder Mountain Horse Farm near Waynesville, NC
Add equipment warehouse and new staff headquarter
Add new llamas “The Blue Team” - Nor’wester, Blue, Frosty, Maestro, Bandit, Tangelo
1996-2000
Provide support for the adventure program through System Wide Solutions, Inc.
Provide llama day camps and therapeutic activities for school-based mental health programs
Continue overnight treks for summer camps, private schools and Girl Scouts
Continue ecology study trips for Rutgers University students
Begin consultation on wilderness and adventure programs
2001-2005
Expand services to Girl Scout groups
Launch first Challenge Adventures web site
Continue summer program for scouts and campers
Add new llamas, Buddy and Stretch, to the Red Team
“Tea with the Llamas” annual event at Cradle of Forestry typically draws more than 100 people
Buddy and Stretch begin careers as guard llamas in SC
Say goodbye to Merlin, Morgan and Foxy
2006
Receive approval as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
New llamas Tuxedo, Shadow, Speckles, Bo and Britt join the Red Team
Adopt four “rescue llamas,” Tim, Blue Too, McGinnis and Bob Marley
Say goodbye to Mandrake
2007
Conduct fund-raising appeal as a nonprofit organization
Apply for grants
Launch new improved web site
2008-2009
Begin clinical supervision services
Organization begins under the name “Magik Treks”
First llamas are Merlin, Morgan, Mischief and Mandrake
Obtain US Forest Service permit for commercial llama treks in NC
1990
Conduct treks for older adults and for summer camps
Conduct treks for LD and ADHD youth through SOAR
Conduct first Women’s Empowerment groups
Volunteer with Forest Service to pack in supplies for trail crews
Base camp and llama summer home is at Gwynn Valley Camp in Brevard, NC
1991-1995
Continue treks for NC summer camps, such as Greystone, Ton-A-Wandah, Gwynne Valley, Burgess Glen, Mondamin, and Green Cove
Conduct treks for private schools, Charlotte Country Day School and Harmony School
Expand services to at-risk youth, including residential care facilities, like Elon Homes
Conduct treks for therapeutic foster care organizations
Work with special needs adoption youth through Children Unlimited
Conduct mountain treks and coastal nature study trips for Rutgers University students
Provide educational llama programs at Chimney Rock Park
Add new llamas to the Red Team – Sinbad, Foxy, Kwill, Bud
Move llama summer headquarters to Camp Pisgah in Brevard, NC
Change name of program to Challenge Adventures
Present animal assisted therapy workshops at the Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Conduct first workshops on animal assisted therapy and adventure-based counseling at Midlands Technical College
Begin summer internships on wilderness therapy for graduate students
1995-1996
Provide year-round adventure therapy program for adjudicated teens under contract with the Del Curry addiction treatment center in Charlotte, NC
Conduct ADHD llama trek groups for University of South Carolina Social Work Specialty Clinic
Continue treks for summer camps and Girl Scout groups
Begin annual “Tea with the Llamas” event at the Cradle of Forestry
Move year-round base camp to Hyder Mountain Horse Farm near Waynesville, NC
Add equipment warehouse and new staff headquarter
Add new llamas “The Blue Team” - Nor’wester, Blue, Frosty, Maestro, Bandit, Tangelo
1996-2000
Provide support for the adventure program through System Wide Solutions, Inc.
Provide llama day camps and therapeutic activities for school-based mental health programs
Continue overnight treks for summer camps, private schools and Girl Scouts
Continue ecology study trips for Rutgers University students
Begin consultation on wilderness and adventure programs
2001-2005
Expand services to Girl Scout groups
Launch first Challenge Adventures web site
Continue summer program for scouts and campers
Add new llamas, Buddy and Stretch, to the Red Team
“Tea with the Llamas” annual event at Cradle of Forestry typically draws more than 100 people
Buddy and Stretch begin careers as guard llamas in SC
Say goodbye to Merlin, Morgan and Foxy
2006
Receive approval as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
New llamas Tuxedo, Shadow, Speckles, Bo and Britt join the Red Team
Adopt four “rescue llamas,” Tim, Blue Too, McGinnis and Bob Marley
Say goodbye to Mandrake
2007
Conduct fund-raising appeal as a nonprofit organization
Apply for grants
Launch new improved web site
2008-2009
Begin clinical supervision services