(Ripley County, IN) – Recently, board members of Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County met to discuss the upcoming summer 2025 trip.
Dates for the trip, July 5-17, were selected this year to avoid holiday issues experienced in the past. The board also decided to rearrange the schedule so there will be three days driving out and three driving back.
Students and chaperones will travel over a thousand miles to see iconic treasures in the west, including Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Monument, Grand Tetons National Park, and of course Yellowstone National Park. They will experience seven nights of tent camping, campground cooking, learn photography skills, and learn about the wild animals they see while out scouting.
The organization takes up to 14 high school students from Ripley County schools, and sometimes homeschoolers, at no cost to their families. High school juniors are identified by high school staff, teachers, and sometimes family members who they believe could benefit from the program. Students are also welcome to apply on their own, through the organization’s website, www.youthtoyellowstone.org.
Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County provides food, transportation by van, hotels and campsites, as well as other students’ needs for the 13-day trip.
“Some students need hiking shoes and socks, as well as other personal items.” Board member Nancy Laymon noted.
Students are also given bright colored t-shirts to wear on the trip, which helps the adults to keep track of them in crowds.
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,” Laymon explained.
Some fundraising has begun, with grants written to local organizations, and more planned. The board is also planning to have some posters put at local businesses with a QR Code so that people can learn about the organization and make direct donations.
A list of needs is also available on Amazon, for those who would rather donate specific items. The list, and link, are on the organization’s website.
“We are so appreciative of every donation we receive, Laymon emphasized,” the adult chaperones on the trip pay their own way, so all the funds raised support the students’ trip.”
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, Jack Wilker, Woody Pope, and Katherine Taul.
Donations may be made on the website, or sent to Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County, P.O. Box 42, Milan, Indiana 47031.
(Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County press release)
