STATELINE, Nev. — The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has launched the Confidence Starts Here Campaign, a two-month community fundraising effort to support its Youth Backcountry Camps (YBCC), immersive four-day backpacking experiences that help teens build confidence, leadership skills, meaningful connections, and a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.
Due to a funding gap caused by shifting priorities from longtime funders, the TRTA seeks to raise $90,000 to close the gap. Thanks to the generosity of some key supporters, up to $20,000 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar, giving you the opportunity to double your impact.
“Youth Backcountry Camps give teens something increasingly rare: the chance to step away from screens, meet real challenges, build lasting friendships, and discover what they are capable of,” said Mark Hassett, Youth Programs Manager at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. “When a young person gains confidence in the backcountry, they carry that into school, relationships, work, and their future. That is why this program matters so deeply.”
Youth Backcountry Camps serve teens ages 12–17 through guided, multi-day trips on the Tahoe Rim Trail led by experienced outdoor educators. Participants learn navigation, camp cooking, teamwork, communication, Leave No Trace principles, and stewardship values while traveling through the Tahoe backcountry.
The program also prioritizes access. Community support helps fund scholarships, reduced program fees, shared gear, and partnerships with schools and community organizations so more youth can participate regardless of financial barriers.
In 2025, the program served 142 campers across 14 camps, with 90% of participants reporting an increased connection to nature and community and 71% attending at no cost to their families.
“The outdoors can be one of the most powerful classrooms a young person ever experiences,” Hassett said. “This campaign is about making sure more youth have this opportunity for the years to come. 2026 marks 19 years of this program. There have been hundreds of youth that have gotten to experience these incredible camps, and we want to continue to provide these experiences as there are many who live in Tahoe’s backyard and still face barriers to enjoying the trails that the TRTA and all of its volunteers have worked tirelessly to build and maintain.”
Community members can learn more and donate at tahoerimtrail.org/support-ybcc.
