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New York City
Building Bridges to the Outdoors continues to expand its mission to connect youth to the outdoors by supporting youth programs throughout New York City. In addition to working with educators to provide youth with outdoor experiences, we are creating service project opportunities, connecting NYC youth to environmental issues in Puerto Rico, and coordinating a community garden project in the South Bronx.
Featured Program: Bronx Lab School Mountain Program
The Bronx Lab Mountain Program works to prepare a diverse population of Bronx Lab students to be environmental stewards, effective leaders and accountable team members in the outdoors and in their everyday lives through wilderness experiences and environmental studies. Through the Mountain program students participate in day hikes, campouts, rock climbs, canoeing trips and team building activities.
The first experience every Bronx Lab student has in the outdoors is a wilderness "Explore Week" during the first three weeks of the 9th grade year. In advisory groups, every student spends two days in school planning logistics, packing, and learning about their group gear before traveling to the Delaware Water Gap for a three day self-supported backpacking trip.
Partner Program: High School For Leadership and Public Service
Eco Club HSLPS through their partnership with BBTO, were able to get youth outdoors through several outdoor trips where students for the first time experienced such things as hiking, and camping. In addition to traditional outdoor experiences, HSLPS' Eco Club students participated in several service projects in local green spaces near their school community as well as educational projects with key environmental justice organizations in NYC.
Community Garden Project
For the second year, BBTO will coordinate a summer project for youth in a community garden in the South Bronx. Through a partnership with a local youth organization and BBTO, participants get learn about horticulture, sustainable food, and green space advocacy. Community gardens are local green spaces which in some cases provide the only outdoor experiences for youth in that community and serve as tools for job training and mentoring.
NYC in Puerto Rico
Alternative Spring Break: In 2009, In April of 2009, The Building Bridges to the Out Doors Program of the Sierra Club coordinated an alternative spring break trip to Puerto Rico for New York City students. Seven students from two NYC based BBTO sponsored programs participated in the trip and chose to spend their spring break outdoors exploring some of Puerto Rico's natural wonders. Participants took part in several educational and outdoor experiences such as kayaking through a bioluminescent lagoon, hiking through El Yunque rainforest, and biking through natural mangrove forests. Participants were also able to explore the northeastern ecological corridor, a stretch of coastal land, which the Sierra Club chapter in Puerto Rico continues to fight to protect.