RyAnn Peverley
Two vans, eight tents, 24 sleeping bags, 56 dehydrated meals, and countless packs of oatmeal and jerky is only a small part of what it takes to make a backpacking trip happen for a class of local high schoolers. Most people would think taking 24 teenagers into the backcountry is a big ask, but when that opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance.
This June, our South Sound Youth Program collaborated with longtime partners at the Science and Math Institute (SAMI), a local high school in Tacoma, to offer a backpacking experience for students. This was our third year facilitating the experience, which took place during SAMI’s “micro term,” a week-long period held at the end of the school year that provides students an opportunity to learn something outside of their usual curriculum. The micro term was the perfect amount of time to prepare and take a class of 24 students on a three-day, two-night backpacking trip.
RyAnn with a packed van, ready for the students. Photo by Kristina Cirillo.
Sparking creativity and trying new things
We kicked off the week with a day of instruction at the Tacoma Program Center and taught students a variety of outdoor skills such as Leave No Trace, water filtration, fire safety, and how to pack a backpack. Thanks to The Mountaineers Gear Library, we were able to outfit every student with the gear needed for a successful, safe, and fun trip. The following morning, we met at the SAMI school campus, loaded two vans with teens and two minivans with gear, and headed for the Olympics.
One of the things I love most about these backpacking trips is seeing the students step into the unfamiliar and connect with something or someone new. Kayo Charbonnel-Mackley, one of SAMI’s teachers and the original brains of the trip, perfectly captured the "why" behind this program. “There’s something about removing the kids from what they're used to and providing a challenge that creates different bonds, relationships, and an opportunity for personal growth,” Kayo said. “Besides the work, it’s great to see them engage without technology, and it gives them the time to fill boredom creatively.”
This year’s trip offered many opportunities for the students to fill boredom creatively. We turned group games like Never Have I Ever into a water drinking game to make sure everyone stayed hydrated during the heat; we turned the task of hanging bear bags into a competition to see who could get their line over the highest branch; and everyone enjoyed a reprieve from the warm weather by cold plunging in the glacial-fed river. The trip also provided a lot of firsts: for most of the group, eating a rehydrated meal was a new experience, and many had never slept in a tent before.
Students cooling off at the river.
Fostering autonomy and self-confidence
At the heart of our Partner Programs is teaching young adults how to be autonomous and empowering them with skills that extend beyond the outdoors and into their daily lives. For example, one of the SAMI students, Elias, loved the trip because “it was the perfect balance of freedom and structure.” “I’d never been backpacking before and I feel like I got to try everything that I wanted to experience with my friends,” they shared. “I felt confident with what was happening because of the instruction I got, without feeling like adults were forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do.”
Many other students shared inspiring insights into why they chose to partake in the program. While sitting around the campfire, one student named Julia shared, “This trip gave me an opportunity I’ve never had, because backpacking is something that my family doesn’t enjoy… I got to try out backpacking without having to invest the money and get everything together on my own, and I got to go with friends and know that I would be safe. Plus, it was great to have the trip planned for me.” Another student named Adrian said, “I really liked this trip because I got to spend more time outside, which I love, and I got to be away from my phone which is a big distraction in life. I also got to wake up early and experience things instead of rot in bed.”
One of my favorite things about running these trips with SAMI is that the programs are about more than just getting kids outside. We help them build connections and community. We help them push outside their comfort zones and grow their self-confidence. Partnering with organizations like SAMI enables us to not only build outdoor and personal skills but also instill a love for the natural world and inspire the stewards of the next generation.
The power of outdoor learning
Since 2022, we’ve been partnering with SAMI to provide additional courses outside of our usual end-of-school-year backpacking trips, including rock climbing classes to teach students skills such as belaying, tying knots, rappelling, and climbing techniques. These classes originated as month-long offerings but were so popular among students that we were asked by SAMI to extend the program to an entire semester-long curriculum.
Now three years into this partnership, I’ve witnessed how powerful it is to use backcountry experiences as an avenue to show kids just how much they’re capable of. I love having the opportunity to empower others to safely and responsibly partake in outdoor activities. And I also love being able to instill a love of advocacy and community in the next generation. Plus, the chance to go on really cool adventures is always a bonus. I’m excited about what the future of this partnership holds, and look forward to continuing to offer transformative outdoor experiences for South Sound youth.
This article originally appeared in our fall 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
