“Am I really going to do this?” Brock Sanders asked himself. “Am I doing the right thing? What am I going to get out of this?” Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC) had offered Brock a spot in their leadership and literacy summer course, but he couldn’t imagine spending 40 days away from home, hiking through the […]
ARC & Outward Bound Partner for Rockclimbing Weekend!
There were many “firsts” accomplished by ARC students in Sierra National Forest this past weekend. Students ate s’mores over a campfire for the first time. They experienced sleeping under the stars in a tent. They climbed up a 90-foot stretch of vertical granite rock. And they learned how to work in a team and encourage […]
Adventure Risk Challenge Trains Outdoor Leaders
What happens when underserved youth are exposed to “peak” wilderness experiences? Transformation. For eleven years, the ARC program has proven that individuals experience deep personal growth by facing the fears and doubts brought on by challenging wilderness endeavors. They come away with an “I can do it!” attitude—a powerful way of changing the way they […]
Only a New Beginning…
On July 26, this summer’s 40 day course ARC Graduates said hello to their families, and good bye to Yosemite. (At least for now.) At the graduation ceremony, the students presented their poems once more, translated meaningful letters into their families’ preferred languages, ate delicious food, and were given certificates, ARC sweaters, books, and heartfelt […]
2014 Summer Immersion Courses Reached their Summits
ARC youth explored the wilderness this summer – in Tahoe’s backcountry and Yosemite National Park – sharing moments of joy, exhaustion, and accomplishment. In Tahoe they hiked Desolation Wilderness, summited Mt. Tallac, rafted on the Truckee River, found their courage on the ropes course and spent an overnight solo. In Yosemite they backpacked along Yosemite Creek, […]
Away from Sagehen
Christine Kuang Away from Sagehen and the wilderness, I found out life in the city is more complicated in a big city. During the 23 days course at ARC, we overcame so many challenges and experienced a lot of fun: backpacking, rock climbing, rafting, ropes course, etc… I really cherish all those experiences this summer. […]