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Youth Backcountry Camp 2010!

Posted on February 17th, 2010 by Jamie

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I just wanted to share some exciting news with you all:

Sierra Nevada Journeys is excited to announce dates for the 2010 Youth Backcountry Camps!  For those who are  new to the Sierra Nevada Journeys family, our Youth Backcountry Camp program is a 3 day backpacking program designed for High School students from Northern Nevada and California.  The program takes place on the Tahoe Rim Trail and includes a service project with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to help restore or build new trail.  It is an excellent opportunity for students to experience backpacking and to spend several days in the wilderness learning new skills.

Vice President of Education, Nick Pretasky, who c0-lead the Youth Backcountry Camps last year , says that the positive decision-making opportunities provided to students on these trips is by far one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.  One of his favorite memories of last years trips was when the students chose to hike an extra 4 miles one day in order to be able to wade in Marlette Lake.  Although it was pretty far off the beaten path, they were excited to take on the challenge partly because they were sweaty and dirty after a long day of trail building but mostly because they had chosen it for themselves.  The impact of that choice on the students was one of the most valuable lessons During Youth Backcountry Camp trips as students feel empowered to make positive choices.

Not only are students given choices, but they also learn valuable outdoor living skills such as fire-building, orienteering, shelter building, backcountry cooking, water filtration, and low-impact camping through Leave No Trace ethics.  The service learning project component instills in students a sense of responsibility for their natural spaces.

Another unique aspect of this program is that Sierra Nevada Journeys also offers a Youth Backcountry Camp just for girls age middle school and up.  This is a truly unique opportunity for girls to get experience in the backcountry, learn new skills, and feel empowered through service learning.

Many students who participate in Youth Backcountry Camp have never been in the backcountry before and in some cases, have never been camping before.  The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys provide all the equipment that students will need in the backcountry including backpacks, camp stoves, food, water bottles, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.  All students need in order to participate is to provide all of the clothing that they need for a 3 day- 2 night trip.

The dates for this year’s Youth Backcountry Camps are as follows:  Girls Only Trip- June 21st-23rd.  High School Co-ed Trips July 11th-13th, July 16th-18th, and July 21st-23rd.  Please see the Youth Backcountry Camp section of the Sierra Nevada Journeys website for details on registration and fees.  Some full and partial scholarships are available.

New this year, we will be offering a full week-long trip for prior year participants of Youth Backcountry Camp!  Any students who have participated in the past and would like the opportunity for a longer trip this year, may sign up for this years week-long trip in August.  The focus will be on expanding on the skills learned in prior-year Youth Backcountry Camp trips with a greater focus on the “hard skills” associated with backpacking including longer hikes, more cooking, orienteering, and service learning.  Please contact the Tahoe Rim Trail Association office for more details.

Youth Backcountry Camp is a great opportunity for teens to gain positive experience in leadership, decision making, outdoor living skills, and community service.  But most of all it is fun!  See you all in the backcountry!

-Kristen (aka. Sequoia)