Experiential Programs: Annual Girls' Hut Trip

With Spring Break on the horizon, our Experiential Program is gearing up for its annual Girls' Hut Trip. This year, we are excited to spend three days and two nights at the Harry Gates Hut, located above Ruedi Reservoir. Ten young women, ages 13-17 years, will snowshoe into the hut, using practiced navigational skills while facing and overcoming challenges that help inspire and build confidence, self-esteem and self-sufficiency. In preparation, these young women are participating in training hikes up Buttermilk and West Buttermilk, as well as learning to read and navigate with maps, work as a team, and push themselves both physically and mentally. Once at the hut, our participants will continue to be challenged as they chop wood, carry snow for water, cook, clean, and keep the hut warm, as well as participate in leadership and team-building activities. Down time will also be honored, giving these young women a break from every day stresses to simply play in the snow, giggle and be youthful. We are looking forward to a safe and fun hut trip experience!

   Mentoring - So Easy, My Grandma Can Do It!

by Lindsay Lofaro

In a recent conversation with my Grandmother, who lives in Williamsburg, VA, she told me about her meeting with her "Little Buddy" that week. She has been seeing her Little Buddy weekly through a local Williamsburg school program. They were reading together and there was an ensuing discussion about reading at home and how the child's mother doesn't read from a book but tells her stories at night. I was heart-warmed at how this simple task of reading together can lead to a discussion that gave my Grandmother more insight in to the life of her Little Buddy. It is these moments that make mentoring the powerful movement that it is nationwide - and it is the wide range of adult volunteers who give their time to change a child's life. Whether you are 22 or 85, or somewhere in between, your time can make a difference! Call us today or go to www.buddyprogram.org to find out more about how you can be a Big Buddy!