CHARLOTTE -- Last September, riots and protests across Charlotte drew attention to the many divides in our community while a divisive presidential election also seemed to further highlight our differences.

Now, there's an ongoing effort to bring people in Charlotte together by taking them into the wild.

North Carolina Outward Bound School partners with five Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools for a summer camp experience unlike any other.

"Twelve students from each school are a part of a crew, and they leave for a week in the wild," said Bruce Nofsinger with NC Outward Bound School.

The goal of the Charlotte Unity Project is to break down the self-imposed barriers you often see in a high school cafeteria.

"We have our own little cliques of different races," said Nicholas Berger, a student at Myers Park High School. "White, African-Americans, Hispanics… they're all scattered around the school and they mainly hang out with their own ethnicity."

Students at other high schools described similar experiences.

"South Meck is a really big school," said Taralee Prepetit. "You would think there are a lot of diverse groups, but there isn't."

But the groups that participate in the Charlotte Unity Project are diverse, and the students are forced to rely on each other as they leave the comforts of their typical lives and head into the Pisgah National Forest.

"I thought it would be roasting marshmallows by a campfire, but basically it's hiking up giant hills with a 75-pound pack on your back and keeping each other motivated," said Hunter Melton, a student a Butler High School.​

The students have to carry everything they need as they hike through the wild.  They cook the same meals, sleep on the same tarps, and face the same obstacles.

"It's been full of surprises," said Antonio Desravines, a Butler High School student. "A lot of trials and tribulations."

By tackling challenges like long hikes during the day, rock climbing, and the high ropes course, students build their confidence levels and develop bonds with each other, which helps them tackle the tough conversations at night. Sitting around a campfire, they discuss issues like racism and gender differences.

"I've learned to understand that people are more like me," said student Mak Rmuah. "They're not all the different."

Those lessons can be the first step to bridging the divides our community, and our nation, face.

"I think if we educate and integrate and unify at a younger age, such as these 15, 16, 17-year-old kids, that will hopefully change a diversity issue that's been dividing this country," said George Bowra, a mountains instructor for NC Outward Bound School.

The conversations can be tough, but also transformation.

"My biggest hope is that people will be more inclusive instead of sticking with their groups," said Lauren McCaughey.  "We try not to stereotype anymore."

After a week together, the students will face their biggest challenge yet -- bringing those lessons out of the wild and into the classroom.

"The way my particular group was, I don't think we'll ever go back to being strangers," said Prepetit.

Each group will now go on to form a Unity Club at their respective high schools.

"And spend a year working on projects with the whole school in an attempt to create that same type of experience for the student body," said Nofsinger.

They know it won't be easy, but they're determined to make a change.

"We are just 12 people," said Prepetit. "But 12 people can make a difference if we put ourselves out there like we have been this week."

The students are now armed with the knowledge that sometimes the toughest challenges come with the biggest rewards, as they work to bring unity to the Queen City.