|
|||||
|
 |
||||
|
"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that |
||||
|
* DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AWARDED 2008 details for this program are subject to change as new developments and opportunities arise. Please check this page again for new updates; or contact Angus Whyte, Student Travel Program Coordinator, for the latest information. Explore California! From the peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the rocky wave-swept Pacific Coast, from the hustle and bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf to the spectacular beauty of Yosemite National Park, Bridge California combines outdoor adventure with service learning to offer adventurous students the opportunity to have tons of fun and learn to make a difference. Bridge CALIFORNIA participants will: • Experience the thrill of rock climbing during a two day • Spend five days and nights in the Ansel Adams Wilderness learning the basics of wilderness backpacking and • Marvel at the raging waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, lush forests, and alpine meadows of Yosemite National Park • Learn to make a difference by doing volunteer work for • Visit vibrant San Francisco, “The Golden Gate City”: Who Should Participate? Bridge California is designed for students who have a love for the outdoors and the desire to learn the skills associated with rock climbing, backpacking, and white water rafting. In addition, students should arrive with an open mind and a willingness to give back to the various communities we visit through service activities. Students will camp and cook over an open stove and carry all their belongings in a backpack for the five-day wilderness portion of the program. Students need to be ready for the challenges of working and living together in a small group. Projected 2008 Itinerary: Days 1-4: Meet your group at the San Francisco airport and head south to Henry Coe Park. Learn the basics of outdoor group living: tents, cooking, and safety. Bond with your group through fun games, initiatives, and activities. Discuss group goals for service learning, rock climbing, and your backcountry expedition. Days 5-8: Travel to the Santa Cruz area and settle in at Butano State Park, your home base while you explore the region and volunteer for The Homeless Garden Project. Days 9-11: Head to the Mountains! Gain a vertical perspective on the Sierras during rock climbing school. Smear, edge, and jam into holds too small for a dime. Leave the ground below and learn to tackle the challenging routes. Rappel down a 130-foot rock face! Days 12-18: Take a day to prepare for your next stop - the backcountry! Enter the Ansel Adams Wilderness and see true, unspoiled nature: no roads, no buildings, no cell phone reception—just earth and sky. With every step forward, experience the pride of carrying all your food and gear on your back, from creek-side campsites to high alpine lakes. Some days you will hike so far that you just want to roll into your sleeping bag and crash before sunset. Some nights you might be lucky enough to be awake for an alpine moonrise! Clamber up mountains and pick your way carefully down steep rocky slopes. Hike through fields of wildflowers and across snow packs. Learn to hang your food properly because this is bear country! Days 19-21: Take a day off for showers, blister repair and food re-supply, then travel to Yosemite National Park to learn what “spectacular” really means. Take day hikes, visit swimming holes, and learn how to respect this highly impacted fragile environment. Gain an appreciation for the national debate between tourism and resource management. Days 22-23: Whitewater rafting on the American River with OARS River Guides. Buckle your lifejacket and prepare to get wet! Experienced guides orient you to the river environment and teach you rafting techniques on one of the most beautiful waterways in America. For two days, discover the magic of living on the river, as you paddle and shoot rapids en route to your riverside campsite. Jump into refreshing eddies, learn river folklore, and end each day with a sumptuous feast. Days 24-26: Say good-bye to the wilderness and head to San Francisco to wind up the program. Take time to bond with your group and reflect on all that you have learned during Bridge California. Head to the airport and fly home! Program Details: Dates: 6/30-7/25 Program components are subject to change. |
|
||||
|
What Alumni Say About California Adventure: "I learned how to push myself even more to my limits, like on the backpacking program. When I wanted to stop more than anything I wouldn't, and didn't, and the next thing I knew, we were at our site." "I learned that I am a stronger person than I thought and that I should never give up." "I realized you have to give 110%, no just 99%, to make it in a group. I think I gave it most of the time." "I changed over the course of the program because, unlike the rest of the year, I was not with my regular friends. I made new ones." "I can't say enough good things about the leaders. My daughter had one of the best summers of her life. She grew and matured as a result of the sensitive and skillful leadership of these two individuals." "I am happy to say that I feel much less material and more conscious of my impact on other people and the world." "I have learned how to not just physically but mentally push myself." "All of the above Comments from final student and parent evaluations. "In wisdom gathered over time I have found that
every experience is a form of exploration." - Ansel Adams |
|||||
|
Copyright © Windsor Mountain International 2008 |
|||||
Bridge California
