HIGHTS

10/13/2026

We took advantage of the beautiful weather to get outside for a hands-on activity using Sodas and Mentos! Youth used the activity as a fun way to explore what can happen when stress builds up, adding “stressors” one by one before seeing the big reaction. It was a great opportunity to enjoy some time outside, have a few laughs, and connect learning with a memorable, hands-on experience!

10/11/2026

HIGHTS youth recently spent the day at Balsam Mountain Preserve, combining hands-on community service with an opportunity to learn more about the incredible animals that call our region home!
The day started with some behind-the-scenes work. Youth helped clean Cheyenne’s exhibit, a Red-tailed Hawk, as well as animal transfer cages. They also helped restack the cages and clean and organize the area where they are stored. These tasks gave youth an opportunity to contribute to the care of the animals and learn about the work that happens behind the scenes at a wildlife facility.

After the service project, youth participated in a “Meet the Animals” experience with Wildlife Coordinator Rachael! They met an American Toad, Corn Snake, Virginia Opossums, Eastern Box Turtles, an adult axolotl, Red Wiggler worms, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches!

Along the way, youth learned about animal care, common misconceptions about different species, and the important role that every animal plays in our environment - even animals that some people might find a little scary! Youth also had the opportunity to touch a snake and feed an opossum, making this a truly hands-on learning experience.

This experience was a great reminder that community service can open the door to new skills, new experiences, and new ways of understanding the world around us. We are grateful to Rachael and the Balsam Mountain Preserve for welcoming our youth and sharing their knowledge!

🌿 Learn more about Balsam Mountain Trust - go to their website!

10/10/2026

The GREAT CREATE! is happening November 7 from 12–4 PM at the First Citizens Bank parking lot in Sylva. With pottery, painting, weaving, and more, there will be something for everyone! Come create, connect, and support HIGHTS while enjoying a fun afternoon with our community.

10/07/2026

09/27/2026

At HIGHTS our cottage industry bike shop is more than just a place to work on bikes - it is a space where youth can learn new skills, build confidence, and experience the satisfaction that comes from figuring something out for themselves.

Also, a big shout-out to Western Carolina University for donating bikes to HIGHTS and helping make these experiences possible! Their support gives us the resources to create meaningful opportunities for our kiddos while also sharing the joy of bikes, learning, and healthy activity throughout our community. We are grateful for partners who help us turn opportunities into experiences that youth can build on.

09/26/2026

This week our Haywood team worked on discussing positive ways we can communicate with others - and eventually, with ourselves.

Youth learned about positive affirmations and practiced them through a creative arts activity with Sunburst, painting rocks with different affirmations. The group discussed the impact our words have on others, specifically how painting positive affirmations can impact someone who finds them, just as our words impact others as they hear them.

Towards the end of the group, youth were able to name a positive affirmation for themselves to carry with them as they went about the rest of their day. A simple reminder that the words we share with others - and the words we share with ourselves - can and do make a difference!

09/25/2026

Our new HIVE Kitchen has been a great space for hands-on skill-building with our clients!

Youth have the opportunity to learn and practice skills throughout the entire cooking process - from preparing ingredients and following directions to monitoring food as it cooks, working together, and cleaning up when the meal is finished. These everyday skills help youth build independence, responsibility, and confidence as they work through each step of a task from beginning to end.

And, of course, there’s a pretty great reward at the end: getting to sit down, enjoy the delicious food they helped prepare, and share it with other! We love creating opportunities where youth can learn something new, put those skills into practice, and see what they’re capable of accomplishing.

09/23/2026

This year, HIGHTS Youth Council will tackle two pressing issues: ni****ne va**ng and the impact of digital technology. Youth will research health risks, examine access to va**ng products, and lead advocacy efforts to educate their communities. They will also help develop solutions to problematic screen use, harmful digital influences, and online gambling, focusing on protecting young people’s mental health and financial well-being.

09/21/2026

This hike’s purpose was to practice healthy negotiation and grounding skills. By engaging in fun “quests” along the hike, youth are able to build these skills in an accessible and engaging way.

By practicing these skills in a fun and accessible manner through "quests", youth not only obtain benefits form their actions, but also from the conversations that follow the hike. Together, we discuss positive communication, healthy, negotiation, and grounding skills and how they can be used in their contexts.