{"id":56632,"date":"2026-09-17T22:14:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T22:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/college-recovery-program\/?page_id=56632"},"modified":"2026-09-17T22:14:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T22:14:52","slug":"summer-2026-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/college-recovery-program\/stepup-program-student-stories-and-voices\/summer-2026-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2026 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"StepUP<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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I am pleased to be able to cordially introduce our new Quarterly Newsletter for the Augsburg University StepUP program!<\/span><\/p>\n

My name is Elizabeth and I am a current StepUP student, resident and community relations manager in the StepUP office.<\/span><\/p>\n

The purpose of our newsletter is to have a creative physical platform where students, staff and other external members of the StepUP community can document and share our experiences in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything designed and curated in this newsletter was by StepUP students, and everything written was by our community. Thank you for reading!<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Signed<\/a><\/p>\n

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The summer of 2026 for StepUP was a wild one. Some highlights of the last few months include our annual trip to the Boundary Waters in June, the Association of Recovery in Higher Education conference in Colorado, the Minnesota Conference for Young People in AA in July, and new student orientation in August.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the days become shorter again and we wind down into fall semester, I dedicate this issue of our newsletter to the reflection and appreciation of the summer of 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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SPORTS COLUMN<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hi hi, I\u2019m Mya, the StepUP softball coach. This is my second year coaching the StepUP team. My favorite part about being on our team is bearing witness to the insane improvement of our players compared to last year! Our infield players have strong chemistry, and our outfielders are incredibly reliable. They are SMACKING these balls when they\u2019re up to bat, then just zooming around those bases. Even though the team has a crazy batting list and a defensive mindset, we practice humility on the field. Everyone is there to spend time and have fun. We also play in Rec ||, meaning there are 6 more competitive leagues above us.<\/span><\/p>\n

This season was hot. We\u2019re running around in what feels like 90-degree soup. We didn\u2019t let that stop us from catching our W\u2019s, though. At the end of the season, we landed in 3rd in the standings. In the playoffs, we were true Minnesotans and choked; we did not make it into the top three. All is good! This still has been our best season yet, and we gained a lot of experience! Lastly, thank you to all my players; you gave me a joyful and unforgettable summer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"StepUP<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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There is a certain level of unpre<\/span>dictability in all things. There is always going to be a fifty-fifty chance of a dichotomous outcome. The chance of a random chance occurring is so near at all times, the line between what is and what could have been so slender, that it seems almost unfathomable at times\u2014intangible. So what does one do when an undesired and unforeseen outcome comes to fruition? What can one do? What would a group of seven alcoholics do?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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As an alcoholic, I am told that my disease is a debilitating one\u2014at most it tries to kill me, and at least it leaves me restless, irritable, and discontent. Although from what I have learned, there is a power lying in wait\u2014bred from this harrowing disease. Though I may lack discipline at times, the drive is there. Though I may lack humility at times, the grit remains. Now, pack a group of alcoholics together on a three day trip in the wilderness, facing a rural abundance of lakes, roads, and split decisions on their own. This is where things really get interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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To kick off this trip, we all left at three in the morning in a torrential rain storm. Regardless of the darkness and the slick roads, we made it to the outfitters where we picked up our canoes for the paddle ahead. As if driving down dirt roads wasn\u2019t enough to slow us down, now we had canoes strapped tediously to the top of each of our three cars. Now, everything was going pretty damn smooth until we got to the entry point of our lake. We waited about an hour for our third car to arrive. No sign of them. At this point we are without cell service, and are playing the dreaded waiting game.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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With the feeling of worry rising, Ben and I decide to backtrack down the dirt road to search for our lost boys. After all, there were quite a few points where one could take a wrong turn. Adding in the factor of a canoe on a car, and the lack of sleep we all had the night before the drive, the possibilities of something less than what we planned happening\u2014was quite high.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Long story short, we came to find out that the boys got lost about an hour away from the rendezvous, of course after a slightly panicked call to Shane. Once we eventually all got to the entry point, we were about three hours late to the time we had originally planned to get on the water. We paddled around for a couple hours scoping out camping sites but only found one open site, which was less substantial than what we had hoped for\u2014factoring in that we had seven people to fit at said campsite. The day went on, beautifully in fact. However, people started to get pretty exhausted, as we had been paddling without breakfast or lunch. We ended up sending out a scout canoe, including Ben, Ant, and I\u2014in hopes of finding a site without having everyone paddle around aimlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the day suddenly turned into evening, the exhaustion, irritability, and panic, started to set in anew, there were two options. After eight hours of paddling and about ten sites visited,<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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which were all occupied\u2014we had to decide. Again, trying to get seven alcoholics to agree on something? Well, I say we did quite well. We could either illegally set up camp on a\u2014respectfully\u2014pitiful island whilst risking a hefty fine, or we could paddle for our lives and haul ass back to the car. We chose the latter. Now, imagine being exhausted with no food, having an alcoholic capacity for resentment, and racing the dark of the wilderness. Right right. That night concluded with sunburns, a stay in a hotel, and microwaved hot dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning found us back on the water\u2014bright and early this time\u2014heading straight to a campsite in which we knew someone had just left. Odds in our favor, you know? Then add in tsunami level waves. Well, that is an exaggeration, though only slightly. We honorably paddled against the waves and wind, to venture to the site. It was taken. We then saw someone completely capsize. I think the sight of seeing someone\u2019s things<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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floating away and their dogs in panic promoted us to a conclusion. Sometimes you just have to take your wins and cut your losses. Defeated, but crusading nonetheless, we paddled back to the car. The trip concluded with us\u2014slightly begrudgingly\u2014settling at a camping ground off of the Boundary Waters, and spending the last couple of days camping amongst one another there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"StepUP<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, for a group of alcoholics attempting to go on a self-orchestrated trip in the most secluded wilderness of the Midwest\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"StepUP<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Three nights, three cars, three in the morning. Lastly, a third step prayer;<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod, I offer myself to Thee\u2014to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those<\/span><\/p>\n

I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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I would personally say we behaved more than admirably. There were so many times along this trip where agitation and anger could have easily taken over, consuming all the freshness of the crisp air. However, throughout eight hours of paddling you could hear laughing and singing ringing out across the water. In a hotel you could see us sharing hot dog buns and war stories of the day. At a campsite you would see us stoking fires in clouds of cigarette smoke. In the dark you would see a clump of bodies laying beneath shooting stars. In the rain you would see a table of friends playing cards underneath a tarp. Around the fire you would hear ghost stories and peoples favorite colors.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Despite the feared outcome of an unwelcome reality and a rocky start to our venture, the group of us rallied together to make the most out of the initially tediously fated trip. As alcoholics, there is always going to be the innate reaction and want to be self-centered, egotistical, prideful, resentful, and fearful. However, along with those character aspects I have found that perseverance, hard-headedness, drive, compassion, comradery, and faith co-exist too. To have fought negative instinctual reactions and exhibit understanding, openness, and willingness, is no small feat for anyone\u2014even more so the alcoholic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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May I do Thy will always!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dropping the illusion of control, dropping the\u2014at times\u2014overwhelming sense of self, showing radical compassion by doing what one can for another. These are three things that were astoundingly abundant throughout the pioneering of this crazy and stressful experience. To watch my best friends be there for each other and myself\u2014overflowing with willingness\u2014was a far more rewarding experience than the chance that we could have stayed in the Boundary Waters.<\/span><\/p>\n

So you see, three really is a magic number.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Fishing<\/h3>\n
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Written by BJ<\/h4>\n

June 2026<\/p>\n

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Hey everyone, I\u2019m BJ and I have been in StepUP since 2023. I figured I would write a little bit about fishing because it has become a pretty important part of my life and sobriety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"StepUp<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Fishing has always been a big part of who I am. I grew up in Northern Minnesota, and if you are from the north woods up there, fishing\/hunting is just part of life. Some people golf, and some do other things, but for me, I would rather grab a rod and head toward the water. Even now, living down in the cities while going to college, I still find ways to stay connected to that part of myself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sometimes I head down to Bohemian Flats because it is just a short trip from campus. Other times I head up toward North Mississippi Regional Park and fish the river up there. One thing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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about Minnesota is that even in the middle of the city, you are never too far from water. You can still find quiet spots where things slow down for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

This winter I went ice fishing up on Red Lake with a bunch of people in recovery. We camped out on the ice for three days and caught a pile of walleye. Sitting out there in the middle of winter with good people, cold air, heaters running, and lines in the water was one of those memories that sticks with you. I also love trout fishing down at Whitewater State Park. There is just something peaceful about standing in moving water surrounded by bluffs and woods that<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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resets my brain. I like all kinds of fishing. Walleye fishing over rock beds with a Lindy rig and a leech or a big worm is hard to beat, especially when you pull dinner up from the bottom of the lake. I love throwing topwater lures for bass too. There is nothing quiet about a bass smashing a lure off the surface of the Mississippi. One second everything is calm, then the fight is on. I like northern and crappie too, especially when the weather is cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

A big part of sobriety for me is learning how to have fun in between the accomplishments. Fishing gives me that. It gets me outside, away from the noise and stress of the normal day.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Sometimes I go alone because it becomes almost meditative for me. It gives me time to think, breathe, and reconnect with myself. Other times I bring people with me because some of the best conversations happen sitting next to the water waiting for a bite. Either way, it keeps me grounded.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think growing up in Minnesota shaped that part of me. Up north in the country it's common to spend most of our time outdoors. You learn early that nature can calm you<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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down and clear your head. Even now, no matter how busy life gets, I still feel most like myself standing near the water with a fishing rod in my hand. One thing I have learned in recovery is that you do not always have to do things alone. Fishing is one of those hobbies where there is always room for one more person. If somebody wants to come along, I am usually open to it. Whether we catch fish or not, it is still time well spent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Boundary waters photo taken by Ben G.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Photography by Ben<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n