View Full Version : Looking for Alternatives to former AYH biking trips for Youth
When I was 14 (many a moon ago) I took a great trip for a few weeks to Southern NJ (I grew up in Central NJ) on a AYH sponsored bike trip. This was a great experience and wasn't very expensive. Unfortunately, AYH does not do these trips any longer and I am seeking something akin to that for my 14-15 year old nephew for the summer. His parent's are on a tight budget and can't afford camp and he is going stir crazy at home. So something outdoorsy would be perfect, whether it be biking, hiking, camping, trail repair, etc. It needs to be inexpensive -- at least under $1000 and preferably under $500 -- or even paid if it has to do with working on trail repair or something like that. So I am taking suggestions from people who might know.
Anyone? (Please do provide links.)
(Additional info: he is Jewish so a Jewish oriented something would be good too. Yes, I am looking up Mitzvah Corps as well.)
BMH
PS Please post in the poll if you want AYH to bring back those great bike trips. Put suggestions here of how they can deal with the liability issues.
YoungMoose
04-14-2009, 19:33
i went to outward bound last summer. THats how i got my name. But its expensive. but they provide full shcolarships alot. 3 people in my group came for free. This summer im doing a sca trail crew but that deadline is over so he cant do that. I know of dec camps in new york. they are only 300-400$$. i went in 2006. i though it was cool here are all of the links. http://www.outwardbound.org/ http://www.thesca.org/ http://www.dec.ny.gov/ best of luck
rpenczek
04-15-2009, 09:15
How about working at a local Boy Scout camp (get him out of the house and a little pay to boot).
Check out United Methodist Outdoor ministerys.
Or, a local Venturing Crew (coed arm of the Boy Scouts) for older >14 youth.
BarFight
04-15-2009, 11:18
Looks like you're out west-does your state have somthing like Vermont's Youth Conservation Corps?
BarFight
04-15-2009, 11:19
at www.vycc.org (http://www.vycc.org), sorry.
I live in Tucson but my family lives in NJ. Thanks for the links. I've put together a little list. I should say that I don't know how interested in the outdoors my nephew is but he is fit from wrestling and formerly martial arts, is good at music without any education in it, loves math, chess and science and odd facts and is Jewish and actively involved. So I will take any suggestions along these lines.
I should say that to this moment I have an 8 page document that does include AMC programs and SCA and YCC (though he is just too young for these programs for this year.) It is too much to post here but I could email to whoever private messages me (I think.)
I couldn't find any bike stuff though, so I will definitely take suggestions there.
elangomat
04-16-2009, 17:23
Try posting the same at bicycling.com forums page. www.bicycling.com (http://www.bicycling.com)
I too did AYH bike trips when I was a teen. As well I wanted my son to have a similar experience. I was President of the Buffalo Council of AYH in 2001 and we re-started "AYH style" bike trips under the name Teen Treks. You can find us at www.teentreks.org.
http://www.biketrips-ayh.com/