10 Years of Youth Engagement

Teens help improve trail on a Youth Vacation to Indian Pass. Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman

Thanks to our members and donors, over the past 10 years, WTA’s youth engagement has grown into a comprehensive program serving thousands of students. But that’s not all. It’s also fostering the next generation of environmental advocates.

Although the youth program started with a smattering of one-day work parties for families, it has expanded to include one-day work parties, weeklong Youth Volunteer Vacations and a Youth Ambassador Program. The hope is that by exposing young people to trails, they will fall in love with them and then seek opportunities to give back.

That was the case for Anna Silver, a former youth ambassador for WTA.

“As a child of decidedly non-outdoorsy parents, WTA was my gateway to the outdoors,” she says. “Because Volunteer Vacations were affordable and extremely fun, meaningful work, I was able to explore many different facets of the state I have come to love so much. The work I did in high school for WTA cemented my love of the outdoors and showed me the value of hands-on labor.”

Anna first worked with WTA on a Volunteer Vacation. She enjoyed the experience so much that she volunteered for four more youth vacations. She was also a youth ambassador for WTA for two years. Since then, Anna has graduated and is attending college in Michigan. She still volunteers with WTA when she comes home to visit. She even volunteered on a Backcountry Response Team last year.

Anna’s experience with the WTA youth program isn’t unique. The program has been growing steadily. In 2016, more than 1,300 youth joined WTA for youth parties, and 24 high school students were part of our youth ambassador program.

As we begin the next 10 years, we can’t wait to see what the next generation of trail advocates can accomplish.

Thank You

WTA’s youth programs are made possible through support from individuals, including Steve and Cynthia Hammer, who helped launch the Outdoor Leadership Training program. In 2016, youth program supporters included Jim and Marie Borgman, the Edwin W. and Catherine M. Davis Foundation, the Juniper Foundation, the Peach Foundation, Fred R. Smith, the Treeline Foundation and an anonymous supporter. The program is also supported by a Recreational Trails Program grant from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, and through our youth endowment, founded by former WTA board member Ken Mondal.