City to Summit

The City to Summit Program welcomes youth and families to experience national parks in ways that promote a sense of belonging through volunteer and recreation opportunities.

NPS Photo

About the Program

City to Summit is an award-winning community outreach and volunteer program based out of Klondike Gold Rush NHP that provides guided and all-inclusive volunteer/recreation day trips to federal public lands for groups experiencing systemic oppressive forces. City to Summit invites youth and their families to national parks and connect with these spaces.

Goals of the program include minimizing barriers, building comfort and trust, and participating in experiences that promote a sense of belonging. These lands belong to all of us; we all have the right to see ourselves in these places and to feel like we belong.

City to Summit is made possible through some great partnerships! The Washington Trails Association provides volunteers with loaner gear and the YMCA Bold & Gold provides transportation to the national parks!

Past Examples of Adventures

 

The Deaf T-Birds from Mount Tahoma High School adventured to Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park to participate in a Washington CoastSavers beach clean-up event. Plastics found on the beach were transformed into art created by the youth in the Deaf T-Birds Club that was then utilized for the National Park Service’s participation in Seattle and Tacoma Pride parades.

Outdoor Asian participants snowshoed at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park while chatting with park rangers and peers about how outdoor spaces can be more accessible. Conversations throughout the snow covered trails resulted in more inclusive programming for Klondike and Mount Rainier, including tangible steps park’s could include in their long-range planning.

Tacoma Urban League’s Sisterhood in the City visited Mount Rainier where they hiked, played “ecosystem tag,” and ended the day watercoloring. While in the Longmire cabins, Sisterhood in the City participants painted postcards to send to friends and family, with the hopes of igniting future trips outdoors that center on the sense of self.

 

What Participants Have to Say

"I would live here if I could! So beautiful and the rangers are so friendly!" - Outdoor Asian participant at Mount Rainier National Park

"We cleaned and cleared out garbage that was dangerous to living organisms. We really enjoyed the nature around us too." - Deaf T-Birds Club participant at Olympic National Park

"I would come back for the peacefulness of nature. It's so beautiful here. This is our park." - Sisterhood in the City participant at Mount Rainier National Park

City to Summit Process

1. Are you part of a club or community group that wants to visit a national park? Let’s connect! Email e-mail us to begin the conversation.

2. The City to Summit staff will connect with the community group/club leader(s) to begin planning. City to Summit invites groups/clubs on day trips to national parks, with the day including a volunteer and recreation component.

3. Let’s meetup beforehand to plan our day trip together! City to Summit staff visits the group/club to discuss expectations, learn about participant interests, answer questions, hear ideas, and it’s additional time to get to know one another.

4. Next, City to Summit staff will create a day agenda based on conversations and the preliminary group visit. The process is constantly collaborative and rooted in strong communication. All logistics, including gear requests, transportation, and park fees are included.

5. It’s time for the adventure! Let’s volunteer and recreate in our shared public lands during your City to Summit day trip.

 

Outdoor Asian visiting the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial to create content for the public about how to get to, from, and create an enjoyable visit at the site.

K.Johnson/NPS

 

Awards and Media

2019 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Youth Group Award

This award celebrates the outstanding contributions of an organized group of volunteers under 18 years of age. Exceptional accomplishments include the creation of a volunteer program serving underrepresented youth and their families, increased volunteer engagement at local national parks aligning with youth’s interests, and developing meaningful connections through creating welcoming and inclusive National Park experiences.

Read more about City to Summit’s Award

Contact

Please email Community Engagement Coordinator Megan Young for more info!

Frequent City to Summit Trip Destinations