Teen Village 2010! Sure to be a summer to remember….

Teen Village 24 Day trip out of camp 7 Day backpacking expedition Extensive and meaningful Service Projects Includes elements of Rock Climbing, Rafting, hiking 14,000 ft. Mountain. Visiting National Parks, Forests and Monuments The last year to experience Ranch Camp as a camper.

Why is this year different?? -Largest TV Enrollment EVER!! 3 Groups, campers, 9 Counselors -First time traveling to Wyoming! Home of Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, and much more…. -Very experienced, excited TV Staff ready to lead the trip of a lifetime!….

And your 2010 TV Leaders are….

Andrew Schuhmann 3rd Summer at JCC Ranch Camp Originally from Louisville, Kentucky Currently working on getting his teaching certification at CU Boulder Extensive backpacking and climbing experience Has an unmistakable and (sometimes unignorable) laugh

Kolby Morris 12th Summer at JCC Ranch Camp 4th Summer on Teen Village Musician and got her BA in Music from CU Boulder Also has 3 siblings who attend Ranch Camp Never gets embarrassed when people see her dancing and singing at the top of her lungs in the car.

Chris Schuhmann 2nd Summer at JCC Ranch Camp French Teacher at Dawson Alexander School Has a small dog named Claire Avid Rock Climber and worked in the ropes course last summer at camp. Loves to tell people that he’s the older twin and therefore wiser, cooler and smarter than Andrew.

And many other interesting folks…. Other Teen Village Counselors hail from as close as Colorado and as far as New York Each counselor has been hand picked for Teen Village due to their expertise, enthusiasm and uniqueness which promises to create a powerful team!

“What can we (parents and campers) do between now and Teen Village?” Physically Prepare Just like anything that is demanding on our bodies, it is best to work up the strength and stamina bit by bit rather than just throwing our bodies into difficult and rigorous work. While Teen Village will be one of the most fun experiences of your lives, it will demand quite a bit from your bodies and at times push you to what willseem like your physical limits. Begin now by training your bodies to endure the hard work we will be doing during the trip. Walk, run, dance, climb, bike, row… basically move as much as you can between now and the start of the session. The more you prepare your body, the more effortless the trip will seem for you.

Past teen villagers have each been entirely different as far as their physical strength, stamina, previous wilderness and backpacking experience, and camping experience in general. Most campers feel nervous before going on a trip no matter their background. The teen village groups will look out for each other and under the direction and supervision of the very experienced Teen Village staff, we will ensure that every teen village camper is able to grow and expand their limits but also succeed and have fun. **Also feel free to contact any of the Teen Village leaders throughout the summer with any specific concerns.** “What if I’m nervous about the physical challenges on Teen Village??”

“I had always been the kid at the back of the hiking group and on TV I didn't want to be in the back anymore. With the help of the people on my trip I was able to lead the hiking group and made it to the top of the 14er first!” Carly Coons, Teen Village Camper in 2005

We have made available on this webinar a packing list of required items specific to Teen Village for the trip. If you have any questions about the types of equipment recommended or need some advice from us about where to buy equipment/what brands we prefer… don’t hesitate to ask us! We will be happy to help you as best as we can to get the right gear for the trip. We would encourage you to purchase and start using your gear as soon and as much as possible! The more familiar you get with your sleeping bag, and the more comfortable you feel in your hiking boots, etc…. The less trouble you will have with these things when we are on the actual trip. “What should we bring to camp for Teen Village 2010???”

Prior to leaving on the Teen Village Trip, we will send a finalized itinerary to every Teen Village family. Communication between teen villagers and familes will be done through periodic post cards and letters throughout the trip as well as updates from our Ranch Camp homebase explaining where we are and how we are doing as a group. Be assured that we as TV leaders are in constant contact with Ranch Camp directors. Cell phones are not allowed on the trip nor are they allowed anywhere on camp. Keep in mind that the seclusion element of teen village and the abandonment of technology is vital to connecting with nature in its purest form… one of the most powerful elements of teen village. “Will I be able to keep in touch with my Teen Village Camper during the trip?”

Okay…. Now…. Get Psyched!! Most, if not all of you have just finished your first year of high school. Let this be a summer that you can find a deep connection to nature and its many wonders. Let this be a summer that you can form a lifelong bond with others that are on the journey with you and master skills such as teamwork, leadership, trust, and a deep sense of community. Let this be a summer that you can form opinions about the issues that are important to you as a human being and find your personal voice to make changes in the world. Let this be a summer that you take calculated risks and go beyond what you could have ever expected of yourself….

But perhaps above all else…. LET THIS BE A SUMMER THAT YOU HAVE A BLAST!!!

Let the adventure begin….. See you in July!