Our job is to provide a fun and memorable experience for all participants. Epic Sierra combines recreational activities, service projects, and educational experiences for amazing adventures.
Take the Lead
All participants take active roles in day-to-day trip operations. Responsibilities vary from preparing a meal to prepping the day’s gear to being a trail crew leader on a service project. We do our best to give each teen the skills they need to succeed and build confidence.
Teamwork
We travel in passenger vans with 2 adult leaders per a vehicle.
We sometimes separate into small groups, but usually eat, play,
and explore together as a whole group. Teamwork is expected
and goals are established as a group and individually. We realize
traveling in a group of people with wide-ranging personalities can
be a challenge. Both our leaders and participants engage in
activities that encourage teamwork, problem solving, and
building lasting friendships.
Group Dynamics
All groups are co-ed with teens, ages 14-18, as participants. Each trip has male and female trip leaders, with an adult for every 5 to 7 teens. Maximum group size is 20 participants.
Food
After a long day hiking on the trail or paddling on the water, we all deserve a hearty meal. It’s also important we fuel up before our adventures. Participants prepare most meals and are assigned to a rotating cook/clean-up group. All program participants are expected to participate. We strive for freshness and often buy produce from local sources. Upon request and with advanced notice we can accommodate special dietary needs, including food allergies and vegetarians.
Sleeping Arrangements
Epic Sierra provides 4 to 6 person tents for participants. Leaders establish single-sex tent groups at the beginning of the trip.
Outdoor Recreation and Safety
We spend a lot of time outside hiking, paddling, and exploring.
Epic Sierra’s activities can have perceived risks. Accidents can
happen on the trail, in the water, or even in our kitchen areas;
we do our best to prepare for our leaders and minimize these
risks.
Summer weather in the Sierra can be unpredictable and
participants are made aware of their surroundings and actions.
Sudden thunderstorms can pop up and all participants are
expected to have the appropriate gear for inclement weather.
Recreation and Physical Condition
We aren’t doing a triathlon or running a marathon, but we do our fair share of physical activity. We recommend that you are comfortable walking for several hours and practice carrying a heavy backpack.
Altitude
Remember our slogan, “taking teens to new heights.” We mean it. Our trip explores the Sierra Nevada - from the foothills (750 feet above sea level) to the mountains (11,000 feet above sea
level). Altitude effects people differently and we do our part by easing our
participants into higher elevations.
Lasting Friendships
Share your excitement for adventure with teens from across the nation.
Epic Sierra is a great way to meet peers with similar interests and make
lifelong friends.
Creativity
Our trips provide a creative outlet for participants and staff. We use audio
and camera equipment to record daily adventures. We encourage teens to
journal and record their experiences. In the future, with permission, we
may post material and short video clips on our website. If you have a creative
side, this trip is for you.
What to Expect
© Copyright 2011 - Epic Sierra Adventures and the American River Conservancy, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization
348 Highway 49 | P.O. Box 562 | Coloma, CA 95613 | Tel: (530) 621-1224 | Fax: (530) 621-4818