TASC 2010 The next level of Adventure!

TASC: Teen Adventure Service Corps 9 Day trip outside of camp 6 days of Backpacking Meaningful Service Project Rafting in the Arkansas River near Salida, CO Next step after 8 th grade trips and prepares campers for Teen Village

Where will TASC be going this year? -The hiking portion of TASC 1 st session will be in the Greenhorn Wilderness in San Isabel National Forest -The Greenhorn Wilderness is 22,040 acres near Walsenburg, CO and offers some of the most remote and lightly used wilderness in the state -The hiking portion of TASC 2 nd and 3 rd sessions will be in Spanish Peaks Wilderness (or Las Cumbres Espanolas) and are considered some of the most important landmarks of the Southwest

“Who will be my Counselors?” TASC Counselors and Trips leaders this year hail from as close as Colorado and as far as Israel! Each counselor has been hand picked for TASC due to their expertise, enthusiasm and uniqueness and all are totally excited for the summer of a lifetime!

“What can we (parents and campers) do between now and camp to be ready for the TASC Trips?” 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. For most of you this may be your first or second experience camping, or a trip of this length. Begin now by wearing your gear as much as possible and getting comfortable with the physical work that you will be doing on TASC. 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… and the more fun you will have!!

Keep in mind that you are not alone! Most TASCers feel nervous about their TASC trip. All the counselors are here to make you feel comfortable and ensure that you have a great time on your trip. And as campers you will be able to encourage each other and bond as a team, being able to depend on each other to get through it together. On the TASC trips you will have the opportunity to challenge yourselves and look at every challenge as a chance to learn about yourself. Chances are… once you are on the trip, out in the beautiful Colorado wilderness, you will be having more fun than you ever have! **Also feel free to contact Kolby or Gilad throughout the summer with any specific concerns.** “What if I’m nervous about the physical challenges on the TASC trip?”

“Before I went on TASC, I was skeptical if I could physically accomplish the intense backpacking and hiking, but by the end i realized the real challenge was not only physical, but also the emotional growth that took place. TASC was an amazingly positive experience where I learned a lot about myself and became bonded to the group forever!” -Rosa Perlman, TASC camper in 2006

You should have received a trips packing list in your parent manuals. Just in case you missed it, we will make available on the Ranch Camp website a packing list of required items specific to the TASC 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. Again, 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 specific to TASC?”

Depending on the session, there will sometimes be 2 different TASC trips in a session. Each trip will have no more than 12 campers and at least 3 staff members. We travel in 15 passenger shuttle busses and sleep in tents. “How many TASCers are on a trip at a time?”

Now seriously…. ARE YOU EXCITED OR WHAT?! Think of it as an amazing 8 night sleepover with all of your best friends under the clear Colorado night sky. Think of it as perfect time to relax in Nature and reflect on all of your personal goals as you reach young adulthood. Think of it as a chance to laugh and play with unique and interesting kids that you have never met before. Think of it as a way to be outside, staying active and energetic in some of the most beautiful places in North America. Think of it as the field trip of a lifetime, filled with adventure… sure to make lasting memories!

But above all else…. THINK OF IT AS A CHANCE TO HAVE A BLAST!!!!

Let the adventure begin….. See you this summer….