Spring break with Y.E.T.I. is never boring, and this year’s trip was no exception. With bikes, hikes, and lots of rain, it was a trip to remember.
Day 1: Getting Settled with a Side of Biking
We kicked things off on Monday after a weekend of van prepping, food packing, and gear organizing (thanks to our amazing staff!). When the students arrived, they grabbed whatever gear they needed, packed up their bags, and circled up to set expectations for the trip.
Arrielle was on aux during the van ride to camp and she understood the assignment. “Bangers” were playing. Students were singing. Vibes were high.
Once we rolled into camp, students jumped right in to set up tents, unload vans, and prep lunch. After lunch, we split into two biking groups. One group was brand new to biking with Y.E.T.I., so they got a fun intro and some skills practice. The other group had biked with us before and hit the Snoqualmie Valley Trail for an afternoon ride.
Everyone came back tired and hungry, ready to tackle evening chores. Some got cooking. Others built the fire. Everyone pitched in.
After dinner and games, Renee led our first nightly recap circle. Each evening, a student shared the day’s highlights before we jumped into “Plus-Delta” (a quick round of what went well and what we’d change). There were shoutouts. There were wins. There was reflection.
Then came one of our favorite sounds of camp: giggles from the tents. First a whisper. Then laughter. Sam said they laughed themselves to sleep.
Day 2: Hiking, Rain, and Real Rock Films
After breakfast, we packed up for the day and headed out to Exit 38 Dirty Harry’s Balcony for a hike. The fast group reached the summit by noon, and the rest followed closely behind. To keep spirits high, some of the fast hikers summited again to cheer on the later group, shouting motivational phrases like, “You’re almost there!” and “You can do it!”
After the hike, the rain had started to pick up, so we decided to switch things up and head to Seattle Mountain Rescue’s Mountain Rescue Center (MRC) to warm up and dry off. Even in the pouring rain, the students were full of energy and joy. David said it best: “I was driving to meet the students at the MRC, thinking the staff and students would all be ready to pull the plug and head home, but when they walked in, I saw nothing but determination and smiles. It was awesome to see that, despite the weather, the community they built was still full of energy and ready for more! Together.”
After drying off and snacking on popcorn, the group watched Real Rock films, got a gurney demo from the SMR team, and then headed back to camp for a cozy dinner under the tarp.
We ended the night with a recap by Taz and huge round of “pluses” at our Plus-Delta circle.
Day 3: Biking, River Time, and Reflection
After breakfast, the group split into biking and hiking teams. One group headed to Duthie Hill Central, while the others took on the Grandridge Trail.
Once everyone was back, it was time to head to the river for a little fishing (well, the river was closed to fishing, so we were just casting without hooks). Just being by the water in the sunshine was the perfect way to unwind.
Emilio brought out a bunch of tools and the boys started making spears out of sticks! There were sword fights, throwing contests, and a whole lot of laughs.
Dinner was a classic camp meal: hot dogs.
After we ate, Cat led us on a quiet, reflective walk to the river. Each student picked up two rocks, one for what they wanted to carry with them from the trip, and one for what they wanted to leave behind. They tossed the rocks into the river, a gesture to let go and move forward. The silent walk and the view of the river as everyone stood in their own thoughts was a really special moment.
Day 4: Wrapping Up with Snoqualmie Falls
On the last morning, the students broke down camp and made breakfast outdoors one last time.
After packing up, we headed to Snoqualmie Falls for a little sightseeing and picture-taking before making the journey back to Y.E.T.I. HQ.
There, we all pitched in to unpack, clean up, and share any leftover food. The trip wrapped up as parents arrived to pick up the students, or they were dropped off at home. We said our goodbyes, already planning our next adventure.
