Fun on the Yough: Wilderness Kids goes camping in Ohiopyle
- Matt D'Anieri
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
At the end of July, Wilderness Kids high school students embarked on a 5-day camping trip to Ohiopyle State Park! Located in Pennsylvania’s scenic Laurel Highlands region, this area has been an adventure destination for Wilderness Kids for several years in a row. With plenty of food, snacks and gear, 6 students and 2 Summer Trip leaders packed up the van and headed out of Alexandria.
Upon arrival, the group set up camp and played a few games, getting to know one another. Soon enough, the first activity was underway: whitewater rafting on the Lower Youghiogheny River! Led by professional rafting guides, the group paddled together in order to successfully navigate class III and IV rapids. This involved communicating with each other, listening to the guide’s paddling commands, and moving in sync with one another. On the river, each paddler is responsible for their safety and the group’s safety, which requires trust among students and staff alike. This is why Wilderness Kids loves whitewater rafting; beyond the pure fun and adrenaline of the activity, it is the perfect environment for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills. When it started raining during the rafting trip, this provided even more character-building. Wilderness Kids would like to thank the Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center for providing such a fun, safe, and accessible experience on the river! (To our readers: sorry for the lack of photos from rafting: we were too busy paddling, getting wet, and having fun!)
Aika and Eimy cook up a delicious dinner (left), while right, Aika serves up what almost certainly is going to be an ace! (Click photos to enlarge)
After a relaxing afternoon and evening taking shelter from the rain, cooking dinner, and drinking hot chocolate, the students rested up for a day of biking. Departing from the small, pedestrian-friendly village of Ohiopyle, the group biked on the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail, cruising through lush forests and alongside the much calmer Middle Youghiogheny River. Their out-and-back trip totaled just over 20 miles, and the students absolutely crushed it! The group unwinded at camp with essential journaling time, and another delicious warm meal.
Top Row: Jai'len rides the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP); the whole crew shares a laugh during a pause in the ride; Bottom Row: Body art - Does that say "G-A-P?" (not so sure about the G, Walter and Eimy!); the team enjoys a Wilderness Kids favorite dinner: tacos in a bowl -- Guac is NOT extra! (Click photos to enlarge)
For the final full day, WKA trip leaders had plenty of activities in store. First, the students hiked from Meadow Run Falls to Cucumber Falls, where they got to play around and sit under the curtains of an enormous waterfall. There were countless small swimming holes along the way, and the group spent plenty of time splashing and swimming together, or simply basking in the sun on a rock. After lunch, staff surprised the students with an independent scavenger hunt! The group was tasked with staying together and solving clues provided to them, as they walked around the small town center and took pictures at the places they needed to find. At the end of the scavenger hunt, they needed to find their trip leaders, who were waiting for them with a surprise of ice cream sundaes!
Who loves swimming in waterfalls? Everyone! From left to right: Walter, Shayan, Jai'len and Aika at the beautiful Cucumber Falls. (Click photos to enlarge)
When it was time to return home to Alexandria, it was hard for the students to pick their favorite thing they did on this 5-day trip, which seemed to go by so fast. Some enjoyed the whitewater rafting, some enjoyed the swimming holes, and some enjoyed the free time together and the silliness that came with the scavenger hunt. Above all, everyone appreciated getting to spend time outside in a beautiful place, and growing close with one another over the course of the trip. Students returned home tired from all the adventures, but simultaneously excited for the one!
Top row, left to right: Sandra, in her fourth year of programs with Wilderness Kids, strikes a pose from among the many boulders of Laurel Highlands; Eimy, Aika, and Sandra among the rocks; the team finds the Beef Jerky Experience during their scavenger hunt in Ohiopyle; Bottom row, left to right: The team poses for a photo over looking the "skyline" of the metropolis of Ohiopyle; we celebrate a great trip with ice cream for all, including staff Emma and Matt for a trip well-led. (Click photos to enlarge)
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