environmental traveling companions (etc)
Depending on the course, spend 2-3 weeks sea kayaking in San Francisco or Tomales Bays, backpacking along the Point Reyes seashore or High Sierras, or whitewater rafting on the American river. Each trip provides opportunities to challenge yourself in a supportive environment, build leadership skills through working together as a team, develop your sense of self-awareness and self-confidence, and form lifelong friendships.
Who is Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC)?
Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) offers an inclusive environment for youth of all abilities and from diverse backgrounds to experience the excitement and challenge of adventuring in Northern California. Our partnership has grown over the years, and this year they are hosting 4 courses for our Summer Searchers!
program details
-
Locations: Varies based on course! Locations include
the San Francisco Bay, Point Reyes Seashore, American
River, Angel Island or Sierra Nevada Mountains. -
Participant mix: Depends on course - see below
-
Accommodations: Tents
-
Bathroom Access: Access to flush toilets and portable restrooms depending on the campsite. While backpacking, backcountry restroom techniques will be used
-
Phone Access: While traveling only; participants will not have their phones with them phones during the entire course. Instructors will have their phones for safety purposes, photo documentation, and mid-course calls home for each student.
-
COVID Policy: Vaccines are strongly encouraged, but not required. All participants are required to take a rapid test within 72 hours of program start date.
course details
-
14-Day Access to Adventure
-
Jun 14-Jun 27, 2025 (14 days)
-
Open enrollment (mostly non-Summer Searchers, with little to no Summer Searchers)
-
Sea kayaking and whitewater rafting
-
-
21-Day Sea to Source
-
Jun 21-Jul 11, 2025 (21 days)
-
All Summer Searchers
-
Sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, and backpacking
-
-
14-Day Sierra Exploration
-
Jul 20-Aug 2, 2025 (14 days)
-
All Summer Searchers
-
Whitewater rafting and backpacking
-
-
-
14-Day Expedition
-
Jul 28 - Aug 10, 2025 (14 days)
-
All Summer Searchers
-
Sea kayaking and backpacking
-
program activities
-
Activities vary by course, but each trip includes at least 2 of the following activities: backpacking, whitewater rafting, and sea kayaking
-
Be “leader of the day”, leading your group through that day’s activities, making sure everyone has what the need, and motivating people when needed
-
Support your group and rotate responsibilities around cooking, cleaning, taking care of equipment, setting up camp, etc., so that everyone is taken care of
-
Join nightly council circles with your group to reflect and debrief the day
-
The trip ends with a graduation ceremony with family and friends
what you'll get from this experience
-
Knowledge about environmental stewardship, water conservation, agricultural literacy, watershed ecology, geology, native flora and fauna, and local indigenous groups
-
New leadership and teamwork skills that allow you to develop your voice as a leader
-
Communication and decision-making skills
-
Increased self-awareness and confidence to take on new challenges
-
Opportunity to apply for ETC’s Youth LEAD Fellowship program and then lead future trips, which several Summer Searchers have completed
this program is a good fit if you...
-
Are excited for a water component - sea kayaking or whitewater rafting
-
May be interested in continuing as an ETC fellow after your trip to build leadership skills and go on more outdoor adventures in the future
-
(Psst...The fellowship is super popular with Summer Searchers! The 2024-2025 fellowship cohort is all Summer Searchers, except for one person)
-
-
Feel more comfortable staying closer to the Bay Area, as ETC is based out of San Francisco
