High school students can now register to experience “life-changing” backpacking trips in Olympic and Yosemite national parks.
According to a press release from NatureBridge spokeswoman Katie …
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High school students can now register to experience “life-changing” backpacking trips in Olympic and Yosemite national parks.
According to a press release from NatureBridge spokeswoman Katie Draude, the program offers one- and two-week experiences with the “perfect mix of backpacking, science and adventure.”
“(The program gives) participants the opportunity to conduct field science investigations in two of the most iconic national parks in the country,” Draude stated in the release. “(NatureBridge is) the largest residential environmental education partner of the National Park Service.”
Through the program, students are able to design their own environmental science projects, strengthen their leadership skills and form friendships with other participants.
“Students have used their NatureBridge summer backpacking experience and research for high school capstone projects, college entrance essays and job résumés,” she said.
Former summer 2017 participant Marissa Granados of Albuquerque, New Mexico, said her experience made her gain a “stronger relationship with nature” and helped her to discover “a deeper part of myself.
“I now see the influence of my actions and the amount of power that I have in creating change,” she stated in the release. “This experience gave me an incredible sense of bravery to be the person that I want to be and that I know I am.”
Draude said Granados went on to write her high school senior thesis on the importance of outdoor education.
The backpacking program has been active for 12 years, Draude told The Leader, beginning in Yosemite National Park in 2006 and in Olympic National Park in 2013.
“No backpacking experience is necessary, and financial aid is available,” she said. “There is no deadline. Our programs are open until full.”
The dates teens can participate in a backpacking experience for Olympic National Park are July 15-21 or July 22-Aug. 3.
Yosemite National Park only offers two-week experiences, which take place June 24-July 7 or July 15-28.
For more information, contact Draude at 415-598-9832 or kdraude@naturebridge.org.
