BY JESUS ALEJANDRE
Adventure Risk Challenge
Gustine student Selena Lopez Ortiz, a participant in the 2021 Adventure Risk Challenge Yosemite Immersive Course, learned a lot about herself while backpacking, rock climbing, exploring and studying environmental science and English in some of California’s most iconic natural places.
“During challenging experiences, I created a new foundation with myself by changing my relationship with time, allowing myself to be vulnerable, and reflecting on my actions,” she said. This unique experience also helped her learn important lessons about teamwork and resilience and build her confidence.
Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC) is a youth development and outdoor education nonprofit dedicated to facilitating an immersive, multi-year program progression that increases access to four goals areas – literacy development, outdoor experiences, leadership development, and community building – for rural, low-income and English Learner high school students.
ARC is accepting applications until April 11 for 2025 summer programs scheduled to take place in Yosemite National Park. All current California high school students are eligible to apply.
Designed to provide immersive outdoor and academic programs for youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity, ARC programs introduce high school students to the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and to outdoor recreation experiences.
From backpacking to rock climbing and more, students learn outdoor skills like backcountry cooking and navigating using a topographical map, as well as the values of teamwork, perseverance, and curiosity.
Over the past 10 years there has been amazing personal and academic growth demonstrated by the students who participate in the ARC program. Many have gone on to attend elite colleges, become leaders in their communities, and advocate for protecting the natural environment.
The application process for ARC’s 2025 programs has opened to welcome a new group of participants to this transformational summer program that will support their social and academic development.
What makes ARC most unique and impactful is it has long-term relationships with its students, who find belonging within ARC, among their peers and the adult staff members.
In addition, its curriculum integrates literacy development (especially writing and public speaking) into the more traditional aspects of outdoor education (recreational activities and leadership development).
Since 2004, over 400 students have graduated from ARC’s summer programs and over 4,000 students have participated in its year-round programs. The program offers over 14,000 student hours of leadership, literacy and outdoor instruction every year in two areas, the Central Valley and the Tahoe region.
Participants show meaningful improvement in important developmental assets as measured by the Developmental Assets Profile, including positive identity, social competencies, and commitment to learning. ARC has provided summer course opportunities for Central Valley high school students since 2009.
These programs are offered to students on a sliding scale based on family income, with many students paying just $1 per day for their participation. Valued between $5,000 and $10,000 per participant, ARC course scholarships are made possible by the generous support of public and private foundations, grant funding, and contributions from individual donors.
Learn more about ARC, donate to make it possible for a student to participate or apply for a summer program at https://adventureriskchallenge.org.
