Teenagers can learn outdoor leadership

Source: The Herald

Interested in a summer adventure? Applications are due soon for students who would like to attend the Youth Leadership program.

Students from ages 14 to 22 can apply to spend time in the North Cascades with the North Cascades Institute. The program offers eight-, 15- or 31-day trips focusing on outdoor leadership, service, science, communication skills and public speaking.

Most of the courses are designed for students without previous outdoors experience.

The courses offered are:

•Outdoor Leadership and Stewardship, ages 14 to 16, eight-day course, includes canoeing, backpacking, leadership, public speaking and communication skills, and trail and campground maintenance.

Science and Sustainability, ages 16 to 18, 15-day course, includes canoeing and backpacking, science monitoring and stewardship, leadership and public speaking skills, sustainability practices, and a final ranger program presentation.

Leadership Corps, ages 18 to 22, 31-day course, for students who are alumni of North Cascades or similar programs, includes more in-depth wilderness and leadership work.

Students work on backcountry trail maintenance and restoration work, and learn about natural resource management and careers in public lands. Includes an $800 stipend.

Applications for the program are due April 1. Get more information, including an application at ncascades.org/signup/youth. The fees for the classes are on a sliding scale and scholarships are offered. Scholarship applications are also available on the website.