Unique Outdoor Adventure Trips for Teenagers with Kroka West

Kroka Expeditions is a place-based outdoor education non-profit that fosters a living relationship with the natural world and the development of skilled, compassionate, and community-minded young people. Kroka has been running school, summer, and semester programs for youth ages 9-19 for over 25 years.

While based on the east coast, Kroka has offered programming in California as “Kroka West” since 2016. Kroka West is based out of a beautiful backcountry basecamp at the Frey Ranch & Vineyards in Redwood Valley and works with schools and youth across the western US. With a focus on fostering healthy risk taking and decision making, community living and compassion, resiliency and stewardship, and deep love and awe for this planet, Kroka programs incorporate many different aspects of outdoor living. Such components include: adventure, outdoor living skills, hand-crafts, observation, service work, reflection, and community responsibility for daily living tasks. Participants walk away feeling ownership for their experience, connection to their peers and the earth, and excitement to build on the skills they have learned.

Upcoming Programs in 2020 - Open For Enrollment Now!

Redwood Ramblers

August 6-10, 2020
Ages 11-13
Instructors: Leah Lamdin, Adam Neale

Become part of the Redwood Rambler pack for spring break 2020! During this exciting week of adventure and discovery we will cook healthy meals over the fire, put our hands in the rich soil of the biodynamic farm nearby, play games as we roam the land, and head out for daily adventures, including paddling on Lake Mendocino and exploring the spectacular northern California coast at Fort Bragg. In addition to all of this, we will learn about forest ecology as we gather wood that we'll carve into spoons and saplings that we'll craft into bows. Living together in community, we each will take responsibility for the daily rhythms of camp life and care for one another. Each night we will return from our days’ adventures to our cozy basecamp in Redwood Valley, joining together around the fire for songs, stories and reflections from our day.

Mother Daughter Backpacking - on the Lost Coast of Northern CA

August 8-15, 2020
Ages 12 and up
Instructors: Leah Lamdin, Natasha Haugen

Strikingly beautiful and accessible only by foot, the Lost Coast of Northern California is home to a rugged trail spanning 60 miles of spectacular Pacific Coastline. With native Elk herds, majestic redwoods, oaks and Douglas fir, an array of wild flowers, and abundant sea life, it is truly a magical place. Together we will plan and prepare for our expedition, live in community, navigate the trails, embrace daily camp work, support each other through the challenges, raise our voices in song, and celebrate how wonderful it is to be women in wild places - all in a female-centered way! Each day will sweep us away with breathtaking vistas, and each night the sound of the ocean will lull us to sleep. We will walk away feeling alive, invigorated, and deeply connected to our families, each other, and the incredible natural world.

Contact Leah at leah.lamdin@kroka.org

Kroka West is a sponsor of Ronnie’s Awesome List.