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ENLARGE
Bonanza Photo Emma Garrard ARC program founder Katie Fesus helps Tania Cabrera, 14, with an English writing assignment Tuesday morning at Sagehen Creek Field.
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ENLARGE
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Bonanza Photo - Emma Garrard With their water bottles and notebooks in hand, Adventure, Risk, Challenge and Literacy Program members Tania Cabrera, 14, Karen Duran, 14, Jenny Martinez, 15, Israel Carrillos, 15, and Javier Espinosa walk to the computer lab at Sagehen Creek Field Station Tuesday morning in Truckee, Calif.
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One month ago eight high school students from Incline, Truckee and Petaluma, Calif. kicked off a six-week stay in the wild with a campout to Desolation Wilderness.
The name of their first destination couldn't have been more appropriate as the students - many of whom sported hiking boots and backpacks for the first time - were also experiencing other significant firsts: First time away from home, family, friends, TV, video games, and, oh yeah - their native tongue.
The Adventure, Risk and Challenge (ARC) leadership and literacy program brought together the eight English Language Learners (ELL) not just for a challenging look at nature but for an intense academic program interspersed with daily lessons in leadership.
"It's a daunting task to throw them right into it like that," said program founder and organizer Katie Fesus, a teacher at Sierra Nevada College. "When they get to (the main) camp after that first eight-day backpacking trip they're in a different state of mind. It's pretty overwhelming."
But to think that participants came to this year's program as "a pretty shy, subdued group is almost too hard to imagine now," Fesus said.
The name of their first destination couldn't have been more appropriate as the students - many of whom sported hiking boots and backpacks for the first time - were also experiencing other significant firsts: First time away from home, family, friends, TV, video games, and, oh yeah - their native tongue.
The Adventure, Risk and Challenge (ARC) leadership and literacy program brought together the eight English Language Learners (ELL) not just for a challenging look at nature but for an intense academic program interspersed with daily lessons in leadership.
"It's a daunting task to throw them right into it like that," said program founder and organizer Katie Fesus, a teacher at Sierra Nevada College. "When they get to (the main) camp after that first eight-day backpacking trip they're in a different state of mind. It's pretty overwhelming."
But to think that participants came to this year's program as "a pretty shy, subdued group is almost too hard to imagine now," Fesus said.
This year for the first time students from Incline High School are participating. Karen Duran, 14, Jennifer Martinez, 15, both said they were surprised at the number of friends they made.
"The best part was getting to meet great people," Martinez said.
Enjoying an afternoon break between science class and dinner preparation, the eight students noshed on goldfish crackers and reflected on their summer experience - but not too seriously.
"I'm sooo much older now," said Israel Carrillo, 14, of Petaluma while being pelted with the tiny orange crackers. "But not as old as her."
Carillo pointed to his science instructor Beth Gross, 29, of Bellingham, Wash.
"The best part was getting to meet great people," Martinez said.
Enjoying an afternoon break between science class and dinner preparation, the eight students noshed on goldfish crackers and reflected on their summer experience - but not too seriously.
"I'm sooo much older now," said Israel Carrillo, 14, of Petaluma while being pelted with the tiny orange crackers. "But not as old as her."
Carillo pointed to his science instructor Beth Gross, 29, of Bellingham, Wash.
"What do you think I am, ancient?" Gross retorted to an instant chorus of "yes" from the students.
"And to think at one point I was worried about them getting along," Gross said.
The program - in its second year at UC Berkeley's Sagehen Creek Field Station just north of Truckee - gives students the opportunity to participate a sun-up to sun-down regimen featuring morning runs, small break-out classes throughout the day, cooking, cleaning, nightly meetings and course work which will culminate in final group and individual writing and science projects.
A book with essays and poems by each student will be published. Bilingual signs for a new "interpretive trail" around Sagehen will also be completed and posted.
"Part of this program is to get the students ready for the California State High School Exit Exam," said Fesus, noting that the state of Nevada, while it does not have an exit exam, features similar testing. "The skills they're tested on in literacy and critical thinking will help them onto the next level."
Last year four out of the five students eligible to take the California exam passed. In addition the program gives its participants the equivalent of a full-year class credit.
"And to think at one point I was worried about them getting along," Gross said.
The program - in its second year at UC Berkeley's Sagehen Creek Field Station just north of Truckee - gives students the opportunity to participate a sun-up to sun-down regimen featuring morning runs, small break-out classes throughout the day, cooking, cleaning, nightly meetings and course work which will culminate in final group and individual writing and science projects.
A book with essays and poems by each student will be published. Bilingual signs for a new "interpretive trail" around Sagehen will also be completed and posted.
"Part of this program is to get the students ready for the California State High School Exit Exam," said Fesus, noting that the state of Nevada, while it does not have an exit exam, features similar testing. "The skills they're tested on in literacy and critical thinking will help them onto the next level."
Last year four out of the five students eligible to take the California exam passed. In addition the program gives its participants the equivalent of a full-year class credit.
"It is a treat for us to have these students," said Sagehen manager Jeff Brown, who has been involved in the ARC program both years. "We get about 7,000 'user days' up here. Lots of people from UC working on their PhDs and Masters - lots of student groups. But these group is something."
The outdoor setting provides the backdrop for three expeditions, eight days in Desolation Wilderness, a ropes course challenge, a "solo" five-day backpacking trip, and a four-day climbing excursion. Sagehen also gives the program's participants access to grad students and researchers who lead discussions on the environment.
"It gives them good exposure to what's out there not only with education about their surroundings but what they can do for living," said Fesus of the program's contributors. "This group especially, they've got pretty high aspirations - high goals."
Fesus, who has a master's in education from Stanford and will begin teaching full-time at Sierra Nevada College in the fall, recruits up to 10 students in ELL programs in hopes the students, who have already been identified amongst their peers and teachers as leaders, will be pushed even further.
"This year having (the kids) from the Bay Area was a bonus," Fesus said. "The Petaluma kids brought in experience and perspective. They have a good sense of what they're up against and are pretty worldly. I think the other (participants) saw during the first few weeks their appreciation, everything is 'thank you.' That rubs off."
The outdoor setting provides the backdrop for three expeditions, eight days in Desolation Wilderness, a ropes course challenge, a "solo" five-day backpacking trip, and a four-day climbing excursion. Sagehen also gives the program's participants access to grad students and researchers who lead discussions on the environment.
"It gives them good exposure to what's out there not only with education about their surroundings but what they can do for living," said Fesus of the program's contributors. "This group especially, they've got pretty high aspirations - high goals."
Fesus, who has a master's in education from Stanford and will begin teaching full-time at Sierra Nevada College in the fall, recruits up to 10 students in ELL programs in hopes the students, who have already been identified amongst their peers and teachers as leaders, will be pushed even further.
"This year having (the kids) from the Bay Area was a bonus," Fesus said. "The Petaluma kids brought in experience and perspective. They have a good sense of what they're up against and are pretty worldly. I think the other (participants) saw during the first few weeks their appreciation, everything is 'thank you.' That rubs off."
Last year, nine students from the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District gathered at the field station for ARC's pilot program. Four alumnus have come back during this summer's session to share stories about their lives since completing the program. Although some of the participants have already gotten a first-hand look.
Javier Espinosa, 16, of Truckee has an older sister, Angie, who graduated from the program last year.
"Yeah she told me about it but it we're into different things," said Espinosa, while working in the computer lab. "I like music, dance - I thought about it a little last year when my sister came back. But it was something I wanted to do."
And while the students gathered for a break and talked about things they're looking forward to doing after the program ends, eating home-cooked food, catching up with friends and family, chewing gum, the conversation coasted to their current experience: Knowing someone will be there to catch you on the ropes course; learning that it's better to try and fail; conversations about drugs, peer pressure and racism; lessons in how long the day really is and how much you can do with it.
"I'm going to miss you so much," said Selena Benitez, 16, of Petaluma while giggling and wiping away fake tears. "No really, now I know how to share my things - to have another family."
The Adventure, Risk and Challenge leadership and literacy program raised $40,000 in 2005 to support this year's program. Organizer Katie Fesus is looking for additional public or private funding for next summer. She's also hoping to secure long-term funding to create a sustainable program. Fesus estimates it costs $3,500 to support one student for the six-week program. For information about ARC or to donate to the program, contact Fesus at (530) 583-2520.
Javier Espinosa, 16, of Truckee has an older sister, Angie, who graduated from the program last year.
"Yeah she told me about it but it we're into different things," said Espinosa, while working in the computer lab. "I like music, dance - I thought about it a little last year when my sister came back. But it was something I wanted to do."
And while the students gathered for a break and talked about things they're looking forward to doing after the program ends, eating home-cooked food, catching up with friends and family, chewing gum, the conversation coasted to their current experience: Knowing someone will be there to catch you on the ropes course; learning that it's better to try and fail; conversations about drugs, peer pressure and racism; lessons in how long the day really is and how much you can do with it.
"I'm going to miss you so much," said Selena Benitez, 16, of Petaluma while giggling and wiping away fake tears. "No really, now I know how to share my things - to have another family."
The Adventure, Risk and Challenge leadership and literacy program raised $40,000 in 2005 to support this year's program. Organizer Katie Fesus is looking for additional public or private funding for next summer. She's also hoping to secure long-term funding to create a sustainable program. Fesus estimates it costs $3,500 to support one student for the six-week program. For information about ARC or to donate to the program, contact Fesus at (530) 583-2520.
