Work is Underway for Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County Trip

Donations are being accepted to help keep costs down for students selected to go on the trip.

Shutterstock photo.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Energies are rising with the spring temperatures, including for those on the Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County board of directors. Fundraising, hotel selections, food planning, student selection, adult chaperone coordination, and more plans are underway to take students from Ripley County on a life-changing trip this June.

“Increasing costs have forced us to anticipate more per student than in the past,” according to Bill Riley, president of the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization. This year, the cost per student is expected to be about 10 percent more, depending on each students’ needs. Volunteer adults on the trip contribute their own expenses.

The organization provides food, transportation by van, hotels and campsites, as well as other students’ needs. “Some students need hiking shoes and socks, as well as other personal items.” Riley noted. Students are also given t-shirts to wear on the trip, which allows the adults to keep track of them in crowds.

Students and chaperones will travel over a thousand miles to see iconic treasures in the west, including Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and of course Yellowstone National Park. They will experience eight nights of tent camping, campground cooking, learn photography skills, and learn about the wild animals they see while out scouting. They will also meet park employees and other visitors to the park.

Students who have never traveled far from their homes will learn new things about themselves and the larger world around them. “In the past we’ve had students who have never gone camping, have little experience ordering food in a sit-down restaurant, or have experienced other situations that we were able to help them develop into new life skills,” Riley explained.

Potential students are selected in a variety of ways, especially recommendations from local schools through the school counselors. Those wanting to go are required to fill out an application, including an essay about what the trip experience would mean to them.

“This year the students will have new sleeping bags, thanks to the Ripley County Community Foundation,” Riley noted, “They and other local organizations have made the trips possible with their generous support.”

Anyone interested in helping out with Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County, or wanting more information or a presentation, may call 812-621-1965, email at Y2Y@YouthToYellowstone.org, or visit www.YouthToYellowstone.org. Board members for the nonprofit are: Bill Riley, president, Jim Waldo, vice president, Kristina Pope, secretary, Nancy Laymon, treasurer, Woody Pope, and Katherine Taul.

Donations may be made on the website, or sent to P.O. Box 42, Milan, Indiana 47031.