Youth LEAD Program

“During my ETC journey, I began to feel free again. Waking up to blue skies with the sun on my skin and falling asleep with the twinkling stars overhead ignited a childlike curiosity in me. While backpacking at Point Reyes, I not only grew in physical strength, but I also gained knowledge of ecosystems and the human impacts on our coastal ranges and waters.

Throughout my ETC adventure, I was reminded of the vastness of our world and the endless opportunities to protect it. I’ve become more conscious of my actions, how they impact our Earth, and what I can do at home and school to protect our water from contamination and our native flora and fauna from extinction. With the right attitude and tenacity, I can accomplish anything. In life, just like the ocean, tides will change and winds will shift, but with the right effort and state of mind, we can make the world a better place!”

– Luna Buoncristiani, ETC Youth LEAD Young Womens’ Course

ETC’s Youth LEAD Program (YLP) provides life-changing outdoor experiences for youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Our program offers 2-3 week summer wilderness courses, and a school-year Fellowship Program for selected summer course alumni. During their YLP journey, students experience exciting outdoor activities which empower them with new leadership skills and broaden their connections to the natural world. Outdoor components include sea kayaking on San Francisco and Tomales Bays, backpacking in the Sierras, and whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River or Oregon’s Rogue River.

Youth LEAD trips have a powerful impact on our students. The challenge of backpacking while carrying only essential needs, kayaking in open water, or navigating the rapids on a whitewater river provides young people the opportunity to gain confidence and feel empowered, as well as the chance to experience solitude in nature. Participants build leadership skills while working together, develop communication and decision-making skills, increase their self-awareness, and translate course plans into action. Along the way, students step out of their comfort zone to try new things, learn from their challenges, develop new technical skills, expand self efficacy, and build lifelong friendships!

14-Day Access to Adventure Course (All Gender)

This 14-day adventure offers teenagers with and without disabilities an inclusive environment to experience the natural beauty of northern California wilderness. Students will explore the San Francisco Bay and Angel Island via kayak, and learn to navigate whitewater rafting on the American River.

Monday, July 10 – Sunday, July 23, 2023

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14-Day Young Women’s Point Reyes Course

This 14-day adventure offers young women* identifying teenagers an immersive experience in the Point Reyes National Seashore, exploring the Tomales Bay waterway via kayak, going expeditionary backpacking along the ocean bluffs, and learning primitive camping skills, all with a cohort of their peers.

* “Young women” refers to gender expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any young women-identified youth)

Monday, July 31 – Sunday, August 13, 2023

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21-Day Sea to Source Course
(All Gender)

This three week expedition offers teenagers from all backgrounds thrilling adventures along some of the most scenic landscapes in California, including sea kayaking on San Francisco Bay and Angel Island, backpacking through the High Sierra, and whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River.

Monday July, 17 – Sunday August 6, 2023

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21-Day Young Women's Adventure Course

This 21-day adventure offers young women* identifying teenagers thrilling adventures along some of the most scenic landscapes in California, including sea kayaking on Tomales Bay, backpacking through the High Sierra, and whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River.

* “Young women” refers to gender expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any young women-identified youth)

Sunday, June 18 – Saturday, July 8, 2023

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14-Day Adventure Course (All Gender)

This 14-day course offers teenagers thrilling adventures along some of the most scenic landscapes in California, including sea kayaking on Tomales Bay and backpacking through the High Sierra among alpine lakes in Desolation Wilderness.

Saturday, June 24 – Friday, July 7, 2023

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Youth LEAD Fellowship Program 2023

ETC’ s Youth LEAD Fellowship is a school year opportunity for selected graduates of our summer courses to further develop their leadership skills through camping, weekly meetings, workshops, activities, and training as Assistant Sea Kayak Guides.

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A Note to Potential Participants:

ETC’s Youth LEAD Program is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and our courses travel throughout the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada Foothills. While we welcome applications from out of the area, the following must be true in order to participate:

1. Families provide transportation to and from San Francisco, where all courses begin and end. Courses begin between at 8-9 a.m. on the first day and end at our Graduation ceremony between 5-7 p.m. on the last day.

2. At least one adult parent/guardian or emergency contact must accompany the youth on the first day, pick them up on the last day and remain available by phone in the Bay Area for the duration of the course.

3. Proof of a negative Covid-19 at home test is required for participation (Vaccination of all ETC staff is required and strongly encouraged for all students).

Youth LEAD Program