Eco Programs
Santa Catalina Mountains, Romero Pools, Cienega Creek, the Sea of Cortez, ITE eco-programs are educational, challenging and fun! All eco-programs build upon one another, reinforcing skills and experiences that honor the boundless energy and curiosity of teens. Whether greening play spaces in the city, rock climbing in the mountains, exploring the desert, or kayaking in Mexico, teens expand their awareness of the world, contribute to community, enhance self-confidence, and activate body, mind and spirit.
BEGINNING ECO-PROGRAMS
Teens directly experience daylong excursions to natural areas throughout the cactus studded valleys and rugged mountains of the greater Santa Cruz Valley.
Teens experience a series of overnight camping trips and a multi-night backpacking trip to natural areas throughout the greater Santa Cruz River Valley.
INTERMEDIATE ECO-PROGRAMS
Participants who have completed Beginning Eco-Programs will advance to exploring natural areas within the Rincon Mountains, Galuiro Mountains, Aravaipa Wilderness, Santa Catalina Mountains and the Sea of Cortez.
Mentors provide support for ITE programming that emphasize, hiking, camping and backpacking, ecology, naturalist studies, primitive skills, journaling, kayaking, rock climbing and orienteering. Mentors must demonstrate a degree of skill proficiency. Mentors gain additional experience by undergoing training that hone communication and outdoor skills.
ADVANCED ECO-PROGRAM
An Epic Experience is designed to utilize skills and experience in mindfulness, backpacking, orienteering, ecology, camping, rock climbing, naturalist studies, primitive skills and sustainable practices acquired in Beginning and Intermediate Eco-programming.
