Environmental
Traveling
Companions
accessible outdoor adventures for people with special needs
www.etctrips.org
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Dear ETC Friends,
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Wow, how lovely it's been to have a taste of Indian Summer in Winter. I hope you've been getting out and enjoying the sunshine and plum blossoms falling quietly and beautifully like snow. Speaking of snow, ETC's Winter Ski Program is going gangbusters with fantastic groups joining us in Bear Valley. We are thrilled to have Lissie Kretsch back as Program Manager. Check out her article on a recent adventure with Project Avary, a partner organization that serves youth with an incarcerated parent. Project Avary does trips in all of ETC's programs and this year they will be sending some teens on our summer Youth LEAD courses.
This summer we will be adding a new Youth LEAD course, a 16-day kayak and boat building adventure: Kayaking from the Past into the Future. If you know of any youth, 14-18, who are ready to have a 12 to 24-day adventure of a lifetime, have them contact Cheyenne Berry, our LEAD Program Manager.
There are many exciting ETC Adventures on the horizon for our participants and for the general public. Check out our Moonlight Paddle Dates; Tahoe and Mendocino Kayak Trips; Klamath River Trips; and finally back on the ETC calendar, a 15-day Grand Canyon Adventure in August of 2012. Book your spot early!
ETC is currently recruiting summer leadership positions. Please take a look at the recruitment section of the newsletter for details.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Make a Ripple Event on May 19th. Until then, get out there and embrace the mountains, the bays, the rivers and the sea. We certainly are blessed with such stunning natural resources to inspire our spirits.
On this Valentines Day and always, I send you tons of love for all you give to ETC,
Diane Poslosky
ETC Executive Director
P.S. Mark your Calendars for the 30th Annual Regatta on October 15, 2011. We are bringing back the big party at the Bay Model to celebrate with three decades with Sea Trek! |
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**SAVE THE DATE!**Thursday, May 19, 2010 Make a Ripple:
Make a Difference! Join ETC's volunteers, board members, staff, and donors as we share ETC's important mission and vibrant community with our friends and family!
This dinner in beautiful Fort Mason, San Francisco, will feature local, organic cuisine and wine, and will be an exciting introduction to our programs. Whether you are a long-time volunteer or new to ETC's mission, this will be a night of inspiration not to be missed!
Want to make a bigger ripple? Sign up now to be an event Captain! No financial commitment is necessary; just a promise to fill a table of 8 with your friends, family, and colleagues who may be interested in hearing more about ETC.
Contact Bethany, bethany@etctrips.org or 415-474-7662 x 11, for more information.
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**Save the Date!**
August-September, 2012
Raft the Grand Canyon!
Come and experience parts of the canyon that most people never see! From the Marble Canyon to the Anasazi Ruins, this is truly America's ultimate river trip. Discover this World Heritage site, with its pristine camps and beaches; star-filled Arizona skies; wildlife including beavers, deer, big horn sheep, and more; fascinating history; and world-class white water. We're a year and a half out, but this is a rare, wonderful trip; call early to reserve your spot!
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ETC Winter Program
Playing in the snow with Project Avary
Winter fell heavy in Bear Valley in December (surely you remember that seemingly endless rain) and left a deep blanket of snow for our trips to explore! Thus the 2011 winter season started with enthusiasm, adventure and some REALLY great cooking when Project Avary joined the ETC cabin for their annual winter ski trip.
Project Avary, a nonprofit program for children and youth with a parent in prison or jail, joins the winter program each year, bringing their teen program leaders for a weekend of cross- country skiing, exploring the giant sequoias and cabin fun.
New and familiar faces tumbled out of the vans, kids on their first trips and kids who are headed to college next year. Returnees like Jovann and Janei are visible mentors to their peers, and had the opportunity to lead the hike in Big Trees State Park. They pointed out unique sequoias and lead the group on a scavenger hunt. Of the 14 students, it was the first time to the snow for 8 of them, and it didn't take long for snowballs to be launched.
We pulled off the side of the trail and stopped to think about preservation, places being saved for future use. We grouped up in a circle, faced outwards and stood in silence and appreciation for the magic of the snow and the giant trees. On the walk back to the cars, Daminique, one of the younger and quieter participants, said to a guide, "I'm so inspired, I want to go home and write!"
And all this was before the first night's dinner! Homemade meals from scratch and loud laughter rumbling through the cabin ensured a good night's sleep. We woke to bluebird-sunshine and headed out for skiing (and inevitably many more snowballs)!
Project Avary skied as a team to Orvis meadow where we picnicked on the snow, and set our sights on the practice hill. There was, of course, the full spectrum of falls and laughter, and some great successes. After three attempts, Sabrina skied the whole length without a fall -- and it was her first time on skis! Avary staff and ETC guides joined in the fun, and we spent hours yelling, laughing and skiing our way down the hill.
We took the long way back to the trailhead, to see different vistas and to practice our glide. The return to the cabin was welcomed, to relax, drink hot chocolate and celebrate a really fun trip. We look forward to sharing the next ETC adventure with Project Avary and all the other spirited, snow-bound groups this winter.
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Open Ski Date for Individuals with Disabilities, their Friends and Family March 25-27 $120 for cozy cabin accommodations, snow attire, skiing equipment, ski passes, instruction, and well-trained guides. * Scholarships available to people with disabilities For more information or to sign up, please contact Lissie: (415) 474 7662 ext 19 winter@etctrips.org |
Raft with ETC
Raft the American River Join ETC guides and participants on one- or two-day rafting trips and help open the door to adventure to people with special needs. Spend the night at our beautiful, ecologically designed accessible campground on the banks of the South Fork of the American River. July 9-10, July 23- 24,
August 20-21, September 3-4
$120 for 1 day of rafting, guides, gear, and shuttles. $220 includes everything above plus an additional day of rafting. Camping available for $15 per night, per person.
Klamath Expedition Rafting expeditions wind through the spectacular landscape of northern California's Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Warm water, deep pools, and sandy beaches provide great swimming and camping. August 5-9 $400, includes rafting, guides, gear, food, and camping. ** Scholarships available to people with disabilities ** For more information or to sign up, please contact Davido: (415) 474-7662 x15 riverprogram@etctrips.org.
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Thank you,
Taproot and Volunteer Center!
 
Things have been buzzing behind the scenes at ETC! Keep an eye on our website (click here, for a Before view), as we've recently received a grant from the Taproot Foundation for a new, sparkly site! A team of skilled volunteers came in last week for our kickoff, and we're eagerly looking forward to updating our online presence.
We have also been actively recruiting new ETC Volunteer Board Members, an endeavor that was recently helped along by the Volunteer Center's BoardMatch event! We met some wonderful candidates with amazing stories, but none touched us as much as Susan's.
Susan first encountered ETC in college, when her friend Heather was diagnosed with leukemia. This was before the internet had taken off as the Yellow Pages of the World, and Heather's mother spent hours, days, and weeks trying to find a program to lift her daughter's spirits, calling group after group, to no avail. Her daughter was too old for their services. Somehow, even though they lived on the East Coast, Heather's mom heard about ETC, and she made one more phone call. Diane was deeply moved upon hearing frustration and pain over the phone and she instantly arranged an ETC rafting trip for Heather and her mother. Sadly, Heather passed away before that trip became a reality. But both Susan and Heather's mother never forgot the warm welcome that ETC offered, and both have become long-term ETC major donors
Susan's story moved us all greatly, and we can't express how glad we were to make that connection. Our deepest appreciation goes out to Taproot and BoardMatch, for helping us connect to our community in a deeper way. |
Kayak with ETC
Moonlight Dinner Paddles  Launch from Sausalito in the late afternoon for a sunset paddle to Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon and enjoy a sumptuous meal. After dinner we'll enjoy a stunning paddle home under the light of the full moon, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Additional dates can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more. April 16, May 14, June 11, July 16, August 13, September 10, October 8 $145, includes a delicious dinner at Sam's, kayak gear, instruction, and guides.
Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Overnight  Tahoe needs no introduction as a destination for land-based pursuits, but as a sea-kayaking waterway, it is equally stunning. We'll paddle along the Lake Tahoe shoreline, showcasing vertical granite cliffs and the grandeur of glacier-carved Emerald Bay.
July 15-17 $250, includes meals, instruction, guides, kayak gear, and campsites. Kayak Mendocino
 Enjoy the stunning Mendocino coast as we paddle up the Big River and explore sea caves on the open ocean. We will stay at Jughandle Creek Farm, in a quaint 120-year old farmhouse with excellent access to coastal trails. September 23-25, 2011
$350 includes lodging, all meals, kayak gear, instruction, and guides. ** Scholarships available to people with disabilities. **
For more information on any of these trips, or to sign up, please contact Allison:
(415) 474-7662 x 13
kayak@etctrips.org |
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 ETC is Now Recruiting!
Youth LEAD Summer Leaders:
ETC is hiring 4 wilderness adventure instructors for our summer Youth LEAD courses, between the dates of June 16 and August 16. Contact Cheyenne at ylp@etctrips.org, or
Click here for more information.
Interns and Program Assistants:
Looking for a challenging and inspiring seasonal job in the outdoors? We currently have positions open in 3 of our 4 programs!
Click here for more information.
Sea Kayak and River Volunteers:
Want to spend more time on the water while helping people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth experience the beauty of our bays and rivers? Sign up for our volunteer training! Email Allison (kayak@etctrips.org) or Davido (riverprogram@etctrips.org) for dates and details, or Click here for application forms and information.
Youth LEAD Participants: These courses are life-changing experiences, and are open to youth aged 14-18 (up to 20 in special cases). If you know of any outstanding youth candidates, please send them our way!
ETC's 2011 Youth LEAD Summer Dates
· 24-Day Sea to Source Adventure: sea kayaking on Tomales Bay, whitewater rafting on the Klamath River, organic farming, and backpacking in the Trinity Alps. June 16-July 9
· 16-Day Kayaking from the Past to the Future: build a traditional sea kayak and paddle the stunning waterways of San Francisco and Tomales Bays. July 7-July 22
· 12-Day All Abilities Adventure: sea kayaking on San Francisco Bay and whitewater rafting on the S. Fork American River. This inclusive and accesible course integrates teens with and without disabilities. August 2-August 13
Click here for application forms and more information.
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Make your donation count twice!
Does your employer offer a Matching Program?
Many companies will match your volunteer hours or financial gift with a donation of their own. Speak to your Human Resources department now!
Donate Online: Donate your car, boat, or RV:
 
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