Transitions

Course Overview

Transitions is designed for Female, Transgender and Gender Nonconforming youth entering 9th grade. The are up to 10 students on a course, lead by 2 adult Instructors and 1 high school Assistant Instructor who is also a GirlVentures alumnae. This course is a 14-day backpacking, climbing and repelling expedition in the Courtright Reservoir area of the Sierra National Forest and John Muir Wilderness northwest of Kings Canyon National Park.

Transitions serves as great next step after the Project Courage course or is a great first step for a student wanting a longer course experience. The course is named Transitions because it is meant to honor the transition between middle school and high school and serve as a right of passage into the next stage of adolescence.

While living together in a self designed community that reflects the values chosen by the group, students explore concepts such as trust, social justice, identity, and leadership in depth. The activities of backpacking, climbing and repelling provide the format and structure through which young people can develop the physical, emotional, and social tools that help them be successful on this course and also with their families, schools and other groups.

Youth will sleep in 4 person tents each night, and take turns cooking nutritious meals for each other. All this while learning the importance of Leave No Trace Ethics, and the connection between the natural world and people. Students will take on different leadership roles each day and guide the daily activities for their peers, with instructor support.

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