At Y.E.T.I., students show up in all kinds of ways. Some are brand new to outdoor adventures. Some have been coming to Y.E.T.I. for years. Some are still figuring out what feels possible for them. What connects them all is the chance to be outside, be themselves, and build real relationships along the way.
Here are three student stories from this fall and winter that capture what Y.E.T.I. looks like across different schools, ages, and experiences.
Otis & Agam: Finding Belonging from Day One
Otis had heard about Y.E.T.I. and wanted to join his school’s club at Showalter Middle School. When he noticed that the sign-up sheet was full of girls, his family encouraged him to invite a friend. So he did. Otis invited Agam, and just like that, two new students joined the club together.
From their very first day, Otis and Agam fit right in. Their peers welcomed them easily, modeling the kind of inclusive, supportive culture Y.E.T.I. strives to create. It didn’t take long before they were laughing and moving as a group like they’d always been there.
On their first trip to Salmon Creek Ravine, the whole group hiked and spent plenty of time playing in the creek, with a very enthusiastic test of how waterproof their boots really were. (The club still swears they passed. Their soaking wet socks told a different story.) There was lots of laughter, soaked shoes, and joyful chaos.
Their next trip took them to Seahurst Park, where they roasted marshmallows and made s’mores. For Agam, it was his very first s’more. Between snacks and the fire, students talked about school, family, and life, the kind of conversations that happen naturally when you spend time together outside.
By the end of just two trips, Otis and Agam were already hooked.
Ocean: Learning How to Take Risks Safely
Ocean is a 7th grader at Pacific Middle School and a familiar face in Y.E.T.I. He shows up with kindness, positivity, and a real care for the people around him. He reflects the club culture in quiet but powerful ways.
While hiking at Walker Preserve, Ocean shared something that stuck with everyone on the trip. Unprompted, he said:
“Y.E.T.I. teaches me how to take risks safely.”
It’s a simple sentence, and a meaningful one. For Ocean, and for other Y.E.T.I. youth, being outside isn’t about pushing limits for the sake of it. It’s about learning, trusting yourself, and knowing you’re supported by peers and adults as you try new things.
That understanding of safe risk-taking is something Y.E.T.I. works hard to create, and hearing it come straight from a student is a powerful reminder of just one of the many reasons these experiences matter.
Khaleja: Showing Up, Giving Back, and Trying What’s Next
Khaleja is a senior at Evergreen High School and a long-time participant in Y.E.T.I. She shows up regularly to her school’s club and is a leader among her peers, helping welcome new students into the group.
Over the past year, Khaleja has gone on all kinds of Y.E.T.I. adventures, from rainy weekend hikes and climbing at Exit 38 to cycling in the mud. Last year, she was one of the students who took on the challenge of attempting Mt. Adams, pushing herself through uncertainty and tough moments.
She also attended the VIBE Outdoor Youth Conference at The Mountaineers, where she participated in workshops on outdoor risk management, wilderness first aid, and navigation. Through each experience, she’s shown curiosity, commitment, and a positive attitude that strengthens the group around her.
Most recently, Khaleja was the very first student to sign up for Y.E.T.I.’s upcoming CHILL snowboard program. She has no snowboarding experience, but she’s very excited to try something new!
One Community, Many Stories
Otis, Agam, Ocean, and Khaleja each found their way to Y.E.T.I. at different times and in different ways. What they share is the opportunity to be outside, to belong, to take risks safely, and to build relationships that last beyond a single trip.
