One of Restoration Project’s favorite experiences is Back Country Girls Canoe - a five-day canoe trip on the Gunnison River for dads with 13-15-year old daughters. The trip requires guides willing to instigate raucous water fights, ask curious questions, and bravely share their own heart. Jacey Lyon is such a person. Not surprisingly, she was a tremendous guide on this year’s canoe trip. We caught up with her to hear about her experience.

“One of the main reasons I went was the chance to be with my dad. We’re both busy and live three states away from each other. So to get five days together felt like a great chance to connect with him. Plus, I’d heard him and my brother talk about the experiences they had with Restoration Project over the years. All of this added up to an opportunity I couldn’t miss. 

I could tell you what a canoe looked like, but had never been in one. I had no idea what canoeing a river would entail. My dad made it so fun. We laughed a lot and had hours of one-on-one time without distraction. When do you get time like that? 

The chance to lead alongside my dad was brand new, and a sweet gift. I’ve been doing full-time ministry for three years where I’ve had to lead students. And my dad has led throughout his life. But we’ve never seen each other do it, until now. This experience created a new layer of respect between us, born out of seeing the unique and skilled way each other lead and engage others. 

I sat with the words fierce and lovely before the trip, and it felt like the Lord had been speaking those words throughout my life. But it’s taken time for me to accept them, and let them be part of who I am. I was honored to speak to the daughters about the things I’m learning. It was healing for me, to receive and believe that I am fierce and lovely myself. 

I had strong and hopeful words for the dads too. I told them they had an incredible opportunity with their beautiful daughters. I told them to pursue her well. Not from a place of pressure, but because your daughter is an incredible gift. 

The opportunity to lead and offer my voice was a big deal. It’s easy to see others as leaders, but not myself. But this trip has given me confidence, especially as I’ve returned to campus ministry, to offer my voice in bold and needed ways. It’s also given me great language to be able to name the fierceness and loveliness in the young women I serve on campus. 

Being with the daughters transported me right back to when I was 15 - when there was so much happening in life and when I had so many insecurities. I had so much compassion for not only the daughters on the trip, but also myself when I was their age. If I had words like fierce and lovely when I was their age, it would have been a different story in terms of who I was and where I put my identity. 

The food was incredible. Seriously, it was nothing short of gourmet. We had appetizers and special drinks at dinner. One night we had lemon salmon, the last night we feasted on grilled ribeyes. I don’t even feed myself that well when I’m at home. 

I wept as I watched dads bless their daughters on the last night. To witness dads intentionally seeing their daughters and speaking life and truth over them was amazing and rare. After returning home, I told friends about this time and so many of them said, “My dad has never spoken words like that over me.” The group formed incredible relationships together over our five days together, almost like our own community. So, when we came together on the last night for the time of blessing, it felt like family, it felt holy. 

To those who might be hesitant to come on this trip, I’d say wholeheartedly, please come! You’ll be stretched, but you won’t be alone. The RP staff is 100% on your team, the river guides are phenomenal, and it’s an amazing experience formed by an amazing community of people. Even the daughters that may have been uncertain about being outdoors for five days, by the end of the trip they all would have said, “This was so worth it.” You will be cared for, seen, and prioritized. Every single moment of the trip is intentionally crafted which is a testament to the way RP plans and leads these experiences. 

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