2025 Youth Snowcamping reserved for Alameda Scout troop

 

Training Series – Youth Group(s)

The Snowcamping Section welcomes organized youth groups (such as Boy and Girl Scouts, church youth groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Outdoor Education groups for youth) to join us to have fun in the snow, learn to snowcamp safely and learn snow survival skills. Smaller groups can take part in the existing snowcamping family group training trips, or, if your group is larger, we may be able to schedule a training trip specifically for your group.

While taking youth out to camp in the snow is not for the faint of heart or the unprepared, snowcamping can be a truly magical experience and teaches important skills. Snowcamping isn’t easy, but the rewards of both the teamwork and self-sufficiency required to be comfortable, warm and safe teach self-reliance, give one self-esteem, and offer a real sense of appreciation and respect for the beautiful and mystical winter wonderland of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The Youth Snowcamping Group is a subgroup of the Snowcamping Training Series that offers training trips for groups of kids age 8 and up. Many aspects of the training series apply, so we strongly encourage interested youth groups to also read the pages relating to the Snowcamping Training Series and/or come to one of our free snowcamping informational clinics. Our volunteer leaders and assistants are graduates of the Training Series and all leaders are certified in Wilderness First Aid and have had experience as assistants before becoming leaders. Youth Group leaders are chosen based on their experience and skills with families and children.

Participating adults and youth must have experience in summer backpacking, be able to reliably use a stove, have a sense of adventure, be willing to help each other, and be ready for the physical challenge of traveling on snowshoes with a pack. Sleds (for gear only) are an option. The number of accompanying youth-group adult leaders will depend on the ages of the participating youth, and the minimum youth age is 8 years old.

Both the youth and their adult leaders must attend the orientation day before going on their first snowcamping trip. Fees for the 2023 season are $50 per youth, and $155 per adult (with a $10 discount for adult Sierra Club members, and an early bird of discount $15 if received by 2022-11-30). All participants receive a Snowcamping Training Manual and a “reward” (e.g., a tee shirt, mug, or other item commemorating the completion of their first trip). If your group is large enough to warrant a separate training trip, we will provide an experienced leader and an appropriate number of experienced assistant leaders who will work with your group’s adult leadership in planning and leading the trip(s).

We suggest that a youth group’s leaders take the Training Series as adult participants prior to taking their youth group. This earlier training will allow the leaders to focus on helping their youth learn snowcamping on their first trip.

If your group is interested in exploring snowcamping with the Sierra Club Snowcamping Section, please contact Rodger Faulkner at rodger (at) rodgerfaulkner.com for more information.

 

A Typical Youth Trip

On the first trip we camp out for one night, usually leaving from a trailhead near Echo Summit on Highway 50. Participants are encouraged to travel to the mountains the evening prior to the trip to stay in a local motel; this gives everyone a chance to acclimate to the change in elevation and makes the trip easier for children.

In the morning, we meet in a local restaurant for a group breakfast. Next, at the trailhead, everyone packs up, and any group equipment is distributed among the adults. Before leaving, we determine our location using map and compass, and make sure that everyone knows where we are and where we are headed. Our destination will be within 1-3 miles of the trailhead, and we always choose a site that will allow for quick evacuation in case of an emergency.

One leader sets out in front of the group, and another brings up the rear as the “sweep.” We always stay in sight of each other, and leaders carry two-way radios for easy communication. After about an hour and a half of travel, we break for lunch, and again check our location on the map using a compass. We usually reach camp within a half hour after lunch, at which point we set up tents and then dig out a “table” and “benches” to create a snow kitchen. Once everything is ready, those who are interested can build snow shelters to sleep in, try out the sleds, or just play in the snow.

Dinner is always a treat, and on clear nights the stars can be magnificent. Before turning in for the evening (most families sleep in 3-season tents), we heat up water so that each camper can have a water bottle to snuggle with in bed. In the morning, after breakfast, we tour shelters, and everyone has a chance to talk about what they did or didn’t like about their sleeping accommodations. If there’s time, everyone can take some time to relax, explore and/or play before we start to pack up and get ready for the trip out.

The second trip is similar to the first. Because we have an extra day, there is more time for digging snow shelters and snow play.