Live Violence Free Takes to the Trail!

This year began an exciting new partnership between the agencies of Live Violence Free and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA). This collaboration was formed to serve the youth in our community by providing opportunities to engage them with our beautiful natural surroundings of Tahoe, learn vital skills, gain lasting friendships, all while remaining unplugged from technology.

Our trip roster filled up quickly as we began to advertise the Youth Backcountry Camp program to the youth in our community; we headed out onto the trail with 11 youth participants, most of whom had never backpacked before or even been on a camping trip. Of course there were challenges along the way, such as acclimating to the 20lb+ backpacks and occasional mosquito swarms. Yet rapidly we began to see a shift in energy throughout the group. It didn’t take long for individuals to begin echoing words and phrases of encouragement instead of moans and groans.

The young hikers were continually finding ways to make anything enjoyable, even hiking up steep inclines!

The first night of our trip was spent at the beautiful Round Lake. There, youth learned how to filter water, how to set up a safe campsite, and proper usage of maps and compasses. These lessons set up the participants to embark out on our second day hike to Showers Lake. En route to Showers Lake we had the opportunity to stop for lunch in the meadow at Meiss cabin. Here the teens got to learn more about this historic Tahoe family and enjoyed respectfully exploring the remaining property. From the cabin, we began our ascent through the abundant fields of wildflowers that welcomed us to Showers Lake. We spent our last two days at Showers Lake; the youth enjoyed swimming, identifying plants and animals, learning “Leave no Trace” principles, playing team building games in the surrounding woods, sharing stories at night, and most of all building even stronger relationships with each other.

We were amazed in the overall perseverance, positivity and teamwork that this group continually bolstered in each other during this trip. Our last day hike was filled with smiles, inspirational sing-a-long songs and hearty laughter in remembering all of the highlights from our previous 3 days together.

The statements written by the youth at our last hiking stop by Frog Pond only further reiterated the lessons learned and incredible memories made:

“This trip has meant so much to me, it has given me new friends when I had been struggling to make any. I have had so much fun running and swimming in the middle of nowhere. I can’t wait to do it again!” – Participant, age 14

“This trip was very beneficial to me because it was amazing to get away from the city of Tahoe and experience Tahoe to the fullest. I was glad to be unplugged.” – Participant, age 13

“The reason why this trip was beneficial was because I got to learn about myself. I found myself on this trip, I also cleared my mind of everything. It was also great because I learned how to take care of myself. I met new friends. I learned to push myself in the tough parts in life.”- Participant, age 16

“By going on this trip I learned to do the things I didn’t think I would be able to do such as filtering water, setting the tent, and more. I think learning those things really are beneficial since I can use those tricks as I grow up.” – Participant, age 13

 “This was my first time camping and backpacking, so now I know that I like it.”- Participant, age 12

“On this trip I learned a lot about nature and the animals we have in Tahoe. The hiking was challenging but it helped me realize that I was stronger than I thought. The scenery was really pretty and we got to see lots of flowers. This was a really fun trip.”- Participant, age 15

“This trip helped me because there is a lot to see and do. I had a lot of fun.”- Participant, age 13

“This trip meant a lot to me. I learned a lot of new things that I didn’t know before. I had so much fun. This trip was good for me because it increased my view of things in life. It helped me create amazing memories and have better life and leadership skills. It made me more motivated. I loved this trip and I hope to do it again next year.”- Participant, age 15

“I learned that I love hiking. I want to do it more. I’m going to make a hiking group at my local high-school.”- Participant, age 14

“This trip was beneficial to me because it helped me meet new people and be myself outside of my home. It was fun meeting even more people who are like me.” – Participant, age 13

“This trip was really fun because I got to meet new people and make friends. I also loved all the nature and getting to be outside. I learned that being away from everyone can be fun. This was a really great trip.” – Participant, age 15.

This first collaborated trip out was deemed a success by not only the youth, but us Live Violence Free mentors as well.

Our group was proud and ecstatic to learn that we were the fastest hiking group so far thus summer; not bad for a group with not a lot of backpacking experience! Hearing about their group success, and relishing the recent memories they had made, only furthered their self-confidence and gave them an excited look ahead to next year’s backpacking trip.

Live Violence Free is grateful and excited for this partnership, as it gives us a new and exciting way to bring vital skills, empowerment, healthy relationships and positive mentors to the incredible youth in our community. We look forward to our next adventure out on the trail!