Enhancing the lives of under-resourced urban teens"

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Enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens" D yu want yur teen T experience the majesty f the utdrs? T push themselves physically and mentally?

There have been s many struggles, and I've dne my best. -2008 Teen Participant Out in the backcuntry, wrking as a team, every mment is unique and a learning pprtunity.

1 Enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens" D yu want yur teen T experience the majesty f the utdrs? T push themselves physically and mentally? T learn t vercme challenges they will face in life? I think I needed the stars all arund me and all f yu here, fr me t see hw far I've cme, and what I've learned, and what I want t d. There have been s many struggles, and I've dne my best Teen Participant Out in the backcuntry, wrking as a team, every mment is unique and a learning pprtunity. Yu can't help but be impacted by every flwer, every sunrise and sunset, every lake and stream, every insect, every bird, and every laugh Vlunteer It was super cl being arund amazing wmen, wh shwed t care abut us and the envirnment! This was a breath taking away experience! Teen Participant BCM Histrical Numbers BCM s first trip: 1989 Number f trips: 394 Number f teen participants: 1859 Number f vlunteers: 1682 The BCM experience is a special ne. The trip is all abut perceiving what yur persnal limits are, and then pushing past them, literally and figuratively! The experience is als a true lessn in what yu need t survive, and what are the luxuries. The trip will give yu time t have an experience utside yur cmfrt zne. Yu'll push hard, reflect, help smene ut, receive help, and repeat! It will shw what teamwrk can prduce, and what yu individually are capable f. It s an experience t savr, and t remember fr a lifetime- it's truly lifechanging! Yuth Leader

2 P (303) F (303) Dear Parents and Guardians, Summer 2010 Big City Muntaineers (BCM) welcmes yu and yur teen t ur 2010 summer seasn. We are hnred that yu have agreed t allw yur child t participate in BCM s ne-f-a-kind wilderness prgram. Yur supprt as a parent is crucial t yur yung persn having the best experience pssible and we ask that yu help us get yur teen mtivated and cmmitted t this experience. We want yu and yur family t be as excited as we are abut the BCM team and welcme yu t ask questins and becme invlved in ur rganizatin. Please read the included "trip verview" sheet which will help yu learn mre abut what ges n during each day f a BCM trip. One f the mst cmmn questins we receive frm parents and guardians is abut the safety f their teen while n a BCM trip. While still allwing the wilderness t prvide a pwerful experience, we take many preventative steps t ensure yur teen s safety. Sme f the measures BCM takes t prvide fr yur safety including: A minimum f ne adult trained in wilderness medicine. A qualified Team Leader wh has prir experience leading grups in a wilderness setting. An Emergency Actin Plan & staff n-call 24 hurs-a-day. Pre-selected rutes which are apprpriate fr beginners. High quality clthing, ftwear and gear fr each f ur teens. Despite these steps, ne f the biggest risks t yur teen is BCM nt having all the necessary infrmatin t help them shuld an emergency arise. As a parent r guardian, yu are respnsible fr accurately filling ut all f the infrmatin asked fr n the yuth applicatin, while paying special attentin t the medical prtin. Please return this frm t the spnsring yuth rganizatin as sn as pssible. If yu have any questins r cncerns abut the trip, r wuld simply like mre infrmatin, please speak with the yuth leader frm yur teen's rganizatin. In cases when the yuth leader cannt answer yur questin, please cntact the BCM ffice and we will be happy t assist yu. Sincerely, The BCM Staff Enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens thrugh transfrmative utdr experiences Big City Muntaineers is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nn-prfit rganizatin.

3 P (303) F (303) Trip Infrmatin Yuth Agency Yuth Leader Name Yuth Leader Cntact Infrmatin Yuth Agency Cntact Infrmatin (while grup is n the Trail) Name and Phne: Trip Dates Trip Type (Backpacking/Caneing) Trip Lcatin Mre detailed infrmatin (lcatin, ldging, meeting times, etc.) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 (Cane trips nly) Any ther infrmatin: Enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens thrugh transfrmative utdr experiences Big City Muntaineers is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nn-prfit rganizatin.

4 P (303) F (303) Headquarters/Clrad Office Elizabeth Williams 1667 Vine St. P: F: Elizabeth@bigcitymuntaineers.rg BCM Cntact Infrmatin Califrnia Reginal Office 176 Juana Ave, 2 nd Flr San Leandr, CA P: F: Midwest Reginal Cntact Bernie Rupe P: Bernie@bigcitymuntaineers.rg Pacific Nrthwest (Prtland and Seattle) Rachel Greenwald P: Rachel@bigcitymuntaineers.rg Enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens thrugh transfrmative utdr experiences Big City Muntaineers is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nn-prfit rganizatin.

5 (303) Phne (303) Fax \ Backpacking Trip Overview The missin f Big City Muntaineers (BCM) is enhancing the lives f under-resurced urban teens thrugh transfrmative utdr experiences. Thugh each Big City Muntaineers trip has rughly the same itinerary, the trips are unique in their details. The T.E.A.M. curriculum used by each BCM grup is specifically designed t help build relatinships and impact the teens in a psitive way. T.E.A.M. Building Day- This is a day fcused n teen and adult participants beginning t build trust and get t knw each ther. This day will take place in the several weeks prir t the extended weeklng wilderness trip. Day 1- The first day f the wilderness prtin brings the team tgether as teens and adults cnverge at the BCM ffice t srt and pickup necessary gear and fd. After the gear and fd are alltted, the team drives t a trailhead campgrund. After settling in, dinner is arranged and the evening is spent talking abut the cming challenges. Day 2- The secnd day is the first day ut n the trail. The mrning is spent packing up camp, teaching the teens t pack their backpacks, and leaving behind in the vans any items unnecessary in the backcuntry. Packs are given ne last tightening and the team hits the trail fr the backcuntry prtin f their trip. Tday s hike is shrt and gives everyne a chance t make adjustments and get used t the feel f their backpack. Tnight s dinner is well earned and there is usually plenty f laughter when darkness falls and the teens realize hw quiet it is in the wilderness. Day 3- The third day is dedicated t hiking. The mrning is ften a lng ne as the teens get used t breaking camp and packing their packs in the thin muntain air. Lunch is a welcme break and the afternn s hike is usually a bit shrter. The destinatin fr tday is either a gd campsite t settle in t fr the next tw nights, r a break befre pushing ahead further. After the camp is rganized and everyne has eaten, there is time fr qutes, reflectin, and fun games befre everyne falls asleep. Day 4- Day fur is either a time t explre withut the weight f full packs, r a shrter versin f day 3. Tday the team has a better idea f what t expect frm each ther, and mst get int a grve f enjying the hiking and scenery arund them. Camp is usually set clse t a lake that ffers fishing and swimming, and/r a peak t climb. This time als ffers the team a chance t share in grup activities and practice skills like jurnal writing, rienteering, r fly-fishing. Day 5- The fifth day sees the team begin the hike back twards civilizatin. Depending n the trail, this means either retracing day 4 s steps r fllwing the trail further t cmplete a lp back t the van. Day 6- The mrning f day six, the teens are almst always up and packed befre their leaders fr the hike back t the van. Once back at their final nights ldging (varies based n lcatin), the gear is cleaned and everybdy is able t take a much-anticipated shwer. In the evening there is an awards dinner where the teens are cmmended fr their accmplishments n the trip. Everyne talks abut the incredible feats and the majestic scenery f the past five days. Day 7- On the last day everyne heads fr hme. On the way back t the yuth rganizatin, gear is returned t the BCM ffice, gd-byes and cngratulatins are passed arund and final pictures are taken.

6 (303) Phne (303) Fax \ Travel Days Backpacking Gear Checklist Yuth & Yuth Leaders 1 Change f clthes (underwear, t-shirt, scks, pair f shrts) Smething t read CDs t share in the van. Please d nt bring CD s with prfane, vilent, abusive, r degrading language Small r medium sized twel (ptinal) Spending mney (Spending mney fr gifts, candy, etc prir t trip) N mre than $20 (ptinal) Feminine care items fr females *Leave valuable items at hme. Yur travel gear and clthing may be stred in an insecure lcatin. Wilderness Days Weather cnditins range frm 30s at night t mid 90s during the day. Layered clthing is a MUST. Snw and sleet are pssible. Sleeping attire cnsists f clean shirt/scks/underwear. 1 Pair spare athletic shes, clsed te sandals r water shes fr stream crssings and camp 2 Pair underwear 1-2 Spandex r nyln sprts bra fr girls 1 Pair shrts (NO jeans - Nyln r quick drying material preferred) 1 Pair lng pants (NO jeans - Nyln r quick drying material preferred) 1-2 T-shirts (quick drying material preferred) 1 Lng-sleeve shirt 1 Visr/cap t keep sun ff 2 Bandanas r buffs Persnal care items (sample size tiletries: tthpaste, tthbrush, dedrant, nnscented ltin if needed, feminine hygiene prducts fr girls) Lip prtectin (smething like Blistex w/ SPF) Prescriptin medicatins, if needed (in a cntainer with pharmacy label). Extra rescue inhaler if yu use ne. Items prvided by BCM (issued fr the trip) 1 Full size backpack 1 Sleeping bag 1 Sleeping pad 1 Tent fr every 2-3 team members 1 Pair Timberland Hiking bts (can keep after trip) 2 Pair Scks (can keep after trip) 1 Pair Fleece Pants 1 Fleece Jacket 1 Fleece Vest 1 Waterprf jacket & pants Thermal under layer tp & bttm Warm hat & glves 1 Cup, 1 spn, 1 bwl 2 Water bttles

UVA OR UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA OUTDOOR RECREATION Field Programs / Rental Center / Poplar Ridge Challenge Course / Bouldering Wall/ COAR

UVA OR UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA OUTDOOR RECREATION Field Programs / Rental Center / Poplar Ridge Challenge Course / Bouldering Wall/ COAR Field Prgrams / Rental Center / Pplar Ridge Challenge Curse / Buldering Wall/ COAR Cavalier Outdr Adventure Retreat (COAR) Meet and get t knw ther first year students n a backcuntry trip in Shenandah Natinal