REACH Fellowship, an organization dedicated to empowering students through educational and experiential learning opportunities, has announced its summer trips designed to inspire and educate participants, who are called fellows.

This year, REACH fellows will attend a variety of trips, including college tours, backpacking adventures, and culminating experiential trips, both international and domestic.

REACH staff carefully chose the fellows during the fall of their junior year in high school, and each cohort is supported through the summer of their first year of college.

The program’s main goal is to support first-generation, low- to moderate-income students in Santa Barbara County.

REACH is able to fund the program, the trips, and workshops through the support of the Audacious Foundation and other donors. The support allows the program to be offered to students at no cost to them or their families.

Following is a brief description of the trips:

College Tours:
Understanding the importance of higher education, REACH Ffellows transitioning from juniors to seniors in high school will attend one of the four comprehensive college tours across California.

The fellows can visit institutions in either San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, or the Bay Area.

The tours provide firsthand college life experience, encourage academic aspirations, and help students make informed decisions about their educational paths.

Backpacking: Sierra Nevada
Fellows transitioning from senior year to their first year in college can attend an eight-day backpacking trip to the Sierra Nevada. The trip is designed to foster teamwork, resilience, social-emotional learning, and a love for the great outdoors.

Fellows will engage in guided hikes, learn essential survival skills, and develop an appreciation for nature through these immersive experiences.

Participants spend day one preparing and traveling to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where they establish a campsite near the trailhead. Their daily routine includes morning yoga and meditation, packing, and a series of lessons focused on technical skills or personal development.

They come away with the knowledge to organize their own backpacking trips, offer resources to foster resilience, and build a connection with nature — away from electronics.
 
Culminating Trips: Bolivia and Lake Superior
To cap off two-and-a-half years of experiential learning, REACH Fellows transitioning from their first year in college to their second year will travel together on one of the two trips.

The international journey goes to Bolivia, where fellows will immerse themselves in the cultural and historical heritage of this South American nation.

They will travel to five different cities, with homestay accomodations in two of them. They will also have a chance to do a three-day trek and participate in activities with theater group Teatro Trono, exploring topics of social justice, climate change, and indigenous cultures.

The domestic trip will be at Lake Superior, allowing students to discover the natural beauty and ecological significance of the largest of the Great Lakes, and learn about the native tribes in the area.

Fellows will sail through the Apostle Islands, do community service work, and learn about the Ojibwe tribe.

“We are committed to providing our students with unique opportunities to broaden their horizons and gain valuable life experiences,” said Raúl Aguilera, program director of REACH Fellowship.

“These trips are designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare our students for future success,” he said. “We are incredibly excited about the journeys ahead and the lasting impact they will have on our students.”
 
For more about REACH, to get involved, or donate, visit www.reachfellowship.org or contact Raúl Aguilera, 805-467-8510 or raul@myreachnetwork.org.