On April 12th, Waterside Workshops staff and interns enjoyed the last of the Donner Pass snow. We trekked our way to the beautiful Clair Tappaan, a Sierra Club lodge off of Donner Pass, and stayed for two cozy nights in their dorms. Most of our participants have never seen snow, so this trip enabled them to experience a whole new environment and they were overjoyed.
Saturday was packed with snowboarding, skiing, and sledding. A flurry greeted us after our lessons while we were at Boreal Mountain Resort. Participants were having so much fun they didn’t want to leave when it was time to head back for dinner. One participant said emphatically, “YES, I would love to come back and continue learning about snowboarding.” Another participant said, “I felt free and at peace. There were moments I was upset at myself snowboarding, the pure adrenaline and curiosity.” A lot of lessons were learned and memories were made on the slopes.
Back at the lodge, we had a huge dinner to refuel our bodies after the long day. We spent the evening listening to music, playing board games, and resting by the fire. In the morning, there was time for a little more sledding before we packed up and headed out.
On Sunday, we took a slight detour and met with our new friends at Sugar Pine State Park. Thanks to our Route to Parks sponsor, we were able to learn about the Tahoe winter habitat. The interpreters at Sugar Pine met us and took us on an interactive snowshoeing hike. We learned about the differences between black bears and brown bears and the effects of civilization on their natural habitats. We experienced another beautiful snowfall while we were in the woods.
All of our trips engage participants socially, emotionally, and physically, exposing them to new and different activities from their everyday lives. Staff support and encourage our participants while they gain confidence to explore new activities, the natural environment, and themselves. Supporting our participants looks like cheering them on during a new experience, asking questions that spark personal reflection and growth, and honoring their lived experiences and identities.
One participant said they “learned to be more patient and caring to myself” during this trip. As reflected in our program mission statement, we create and hold space for young people to have these revelations – learn who they are and who they want to be. Participants consistently request to go to certain places year after year and this snow trip weekend is no different. When we asked one participant if they would like to go again, they responded, “Yes, I love Clair Tappaan and the mountains.” We can’t wait for next year either!
Looking to get involved with Waterside Workshops? Waterside Adventures program is now seeking volunteers to attend our trips. Learn more here.