Kaela Frank

Adventure Risk Challenge

Adventure Risk Challenge is an innovative literacy and leadership program for low-income and English-learner high school youth. Our transformative, year-round program improves academic skills, exposes youth to a range of natural environments and wilderness experiences, and inspires the confidence they need to envision and accomplish goals, succeed in high school, attend college, and become engaged, empowered citizens. Many high school youth in California lack access to the resources they need for academic improvement and outdoor experiences due to language, transportation, cultural and/or economic barriers. What results is they lack the self-esteem, confidence, and skills to identify and reach their goals. Since 2004, ARC has supported youth and families in finding success and reaching their goals through 40-day courses, weekend wilderness retreats, college prep workshops, tutoring, and community service. 99% of ARC alumni graduate on time from high school, and 81% go on to attend college. The voices of our participants are the strongest statement as to the impact of the program: "Being in the wilderness has calmed me down and taught me not to take everything for granted...We need to work with nature instead of against it." "ARC has taught me to take challenges and do well in school. It allowed me to create a goal to graduate and attend a 4-year university. It opened my eyes and I realized that education is the key to success."