Summer Time Fun – It’s been quite the Adventure!
Our summer Youth Leadership Camps have opened minds. We’ve built trust rock climbing at Enchanted Rock, learned self-reliance kayaking the South Llano River, developed resilience on Outdoor Adventures around the Coastal Bend, and discovered resourcefulness in our Living Local community. Through all of our adventures we learned gratitude: for the Park Rangers and Master Naturalists who shared their expertise in Texas State Parks we visited; for the support from our donors that allowed us to share these experiences with our youth; and for our partners who gave generously of their time to teach our campers everything from Archery to SCUBA to horseback riding.
Our site-based Adventure Challenge Programs have broadened horizons. This was the second year of our partnership with the YMCA Summer Camp. It was the inaugural year of our summer partnership with Portland Parks. Our continuing partnership with Prospera Housing Community Services included youth from Casa De Manana and Glenoak Apartments. We have been honored to support these fantastic community partners in their effort to provide Coastal Bend youth with positive, engaging, and enriching summer activities.
Thank you to our Summer Team
Youth Odyssey’s facilitation team also deserves a huge shout-out for their efforts this summer. Kristen, as our Empresario of Summer Camps, oversaw all over-night trips this season. Thank you, Kristen, for getting us where we needed to be. Hannah, our Water Safety Expert, led us on two kayaking trips. Thank you, Hannah, for keeping us safe on the South Llano River. Erica, resident Disney Princess, guided the Living Local Day Camp through the natural spaces around the Corpus Christi area. Thank you, Erica, for introducing us to alpacas, horses, pigmy goats, and other animals that share space with us. And welcome Bridget and Stephanie, to the facilitation team. Your passion for working with you and the outdoors inspire us all. We couldn’t have done it without you.
What the Future Holds
As the summer season comes to a close, we turn our faces to the fall. We are excited to reconnect with the students of Baker, Browne, Cunningham, Driscoll, Haas, Hamlin, Martin, and Gregory-Portland Middle Schools. We’re looking forward to backpacking during the October Intersession Trip. We’re also so excited to welcome Andrews and Stephen F. Austin Elementary Schools, in Gregory-Portland, into the Youth Odyssey community.
