W I N T E R  W A N D E R I N G S
the newsletter of the ETC Winter Program
Week of January 29, 2018
January Recap
A Sneak Peak into ETC's Winter Program

Wow, what a January.... with the epic cabin move-in, 2018 Winter Guide Training, and our first Winter ski trip of the year with Contra Costa, the much anticipated ETC Winter Season kick-off was nothing short of snow-wonderful!
2018 Winter Guide School 
 
We are thrilled to welcome 12 new fabulous Winter Volunteers to the ETC Community. Each new volunteer brought curiosity, engagement, enthusiasm and endless fun to the Winter Program. It is with great excitement as we welcome these gems to the fold and work side by side to offer safe and meaningful winter adventures to our participants. 

We skied, we learned, we laughed, we sipped hot cocoa by the fire, and had the BEST Talent No Talent show the Winter Program has seen in 2018!

A huge shoutout to our 2018 Winter Trainers: Liz Silowitz, Cory Walker, Jamie Sharp, Charlie Sharp and McKenzie Woolley who shared their love and knowledge of the Winter Program with the new team. Due to their energy, perspective, skills, and capacity to work as a dynamic and FUN team, the 2018 Winter Training was a huge success. 

We cannot thank you enough Trainers! 
Contra Costa Trip
  
Due to a shortage of snow, our first trip of the season was pushed back and Contra Costa kicked off the start of the season! 

Contra Costa's Independent Living Skills program made it up to the ETC Cabin to have a weekend to remember for a lifetime. Many members of the group played in the snow for the first time, became expert skiers on the newly groomed cross-country ski trails, and laughed around the fire long into the night. 

It was a fantastic weekend where all pushed their comfort zones in a community of support and positivity. As one participant put it in his closing circle remarks:

"I will remember this weekend forever for the camaraderie, friendship, sense of community and endless fun we had in the snow". 

A resounding THANK-YOU to our new Winter Volunteers who made this weekend smooth and successful. We can't wait for our next ski trip with 7 Tepees on 2/2 - 2/4! 
River New Guide Volunteer Training
  
The River Program is also seeking new volunteers to join our guide team. Our volunteer guides are dedicated and caring professionals who are also highly skilled in providing leadership on one to three day whitewater rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River for people who would otherwise not get the chance to experience the beauty and challenge of the outdoors.

Training will take place in May and June, 2018. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the fantastic River Volunteer crew, please email Daniel Berger.  
SAVE the DATE!
Environmental Traveling Companions
Saturday, April 28, 2018
5:30 - 9:30 pm
Exciting Live and Silent Auction Items!
For more information about the Gala,  please contact 
Emily Ford (415)  474-7662 x14,  [email protected]
Make a Ripple & Make a Difference! 
 All proceeds from this event help to make the great outdoors accessible
for people with disabilities and under-resourced youth.

  

In This Issue
Volunteers Needed!
We have a few trips coming up in February and March that need to be staffed: 

* Camp Krem 2/9 - 2/11
* East Bay Center 2/20 - 2/22
* Pomeroy 2/27 - 3/1
* Greenacre 3/6 - 3/8
* Healing Waters 3/23 - 3/25

Click the button below to check out the  Guide Calendar and email Sari at [email protected] to sign up for trips! 
Sequoia Fun Facts    















We are getting super excited about Giant Sequoias and wanted to give you a fact teaser to get you equally as excited... 

1. Giant Sequoias have very specific climate requirements, so specific that they grow naturally only in a 260-mile strip of mixed conifer forest on the wester slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation (hint hint: Calaveras Big Trees is approx. at 4,500 feet!)

2. They can live up to 3,000 years.

3. Branches can grow up to 8 ft. in diameter.

4. Their bark can grow up to 3 ft. thick.

5. The largest of the sequoias are as tall as an average 26-story building. 

Send in your Environmental Ed facts so we can share with the whole ETC community. Stay tuned for more incredible Giant Sequoia facts to come!
Sea Kayak New Guide Volunteer Training!
Youth kayaking











It's that time of year again; the Sea Kayak program is looking for more wonderful volunteers to join our guide team. We are always on the search for dedicated, fun, caring, thoughtful, outgoing individuals (like yourselves) and you probably know some! 

Training will take place in April and, although it is a lot of work, it is a wonderfully fun time. Feel free to email Oren with any questions. 
Check out ETC's
YouTube Channel

You likely know that ETC has an active Facebook page... but did you know that we also have a YouTube channel that you can subscribe to? Check out some of our videos here!