Sea to Source Expedition Adventure (June 20 - July 13, 2012)

This 24-day adventure travel expedition offers teenagers from diverse backgrounds a thrilling yet educational journey along Northern California’s waterways. This trip includes a ropes course, sea kayaking, whitewater river rafting, backpacking, and a stay at a family-run organic farm.

This expedition begins with a ropes course where we challenge ourselves and learn to work together as an inclusive team. Participants then venture into California’s beautiful natural landscapes to embrace the excitement and empowerment of sea kayaking on Tomales Bay, whitewater rafting on the Klamath River, and backpacking through the Trinity Alps. This adventure also includes an educational organic farm stay. Students will learn how watersheds link the mountains to the sea, and connect the wilderness to our homes. Participants gain outdoor skills, become environmental stewards and discover the leader within them all.

Itinerary

• Day 1  The trip begins with a welcoming introduction as we join our teammates in San Francisco. We will load our gear into large vans and begin our trip with a day on an adventure ropes course. We learn how we can step up as leaders and work together as a team. In the evening we hold our first nightly council circle were we enjoy the process of debriefing our day, then divide into teams and establish leadership roles.
• Days 2-8  We enter the world of water by leaving behind vans and making sea kayaks our new vehicles. We will pack up everything we need into our boats, and spend the week exploring the magical shoreline of Tomales Bay. Setting up tents and outdoor kitchens, we make beaches our home. From paddling skills to rescues, the time on Tomales Bay will make you a strong and competent sea kayaker.
• Days 9-12  The next chapter of our journey is an organic farm stay. We will sleep under the stars and rise with the sun to work with the farmers. As we pick peaches from trees we learn about sustainable food production, irrigation and nutrition.
• Days 12-17  Next we travel to the mountains of the Trinity Alps. The challenge of backpacking and carrying only our essential needs gives us opportunities to gain confidence, feel empowered, and to reflect on our experiences.
• Days 18-23  Finally we will explore the thrill and adventure of whitewater rafting. It is time to find our voice while instructors train us to navigate rapids so we can take turns leading each other down Class I-II sections of the Klamath River. More challenging sections will be safely run by knowledgeable and experienced guides. The banks of the Klamath hold many beautiful spots to camp with the possibility of seeing river otters, mink and bald eagles.
• Day 24  We end with a graduation and a celebration of our successes. This is a potluck gathering in San Francisco. Our friends and family join us for dinner while we share with them the highlights of our journey and the many ways we have grown.