Women in the Wilderness

Women in the Wilderness week was a five-day wilderness adventure for young women involved in Solar Youth. Facilitated by outdoor leaders, the young women worked as a team to design and organize the logistics of the trip, including food, supplies and destinations. The goal was to provide an extreme adventure experience during which the girls could reflect on their lives and envision goals for their future. The week included hiking, back-country camping, cooking, discussion circles, team-building, journaling, singing and lots of laughing!

Solar Youth Extreme Team Explores!

Thanks to a grant from the Long Island Sound Future's Fund, veteran Solar Youth campers were able to explore in depth (literally) the Wintergreen Brook (a tributary of the West River) this summer. They hiked along and IN the brook when necessary - learning its ecology as well as the human impacts on its ecosystem. In addition to a service project, they are developing a video blog of their adventure. Check out the preview below!

Solar Youth Summer Camp CSAPs

Check out this slideshow featuring our 2009 Solar Youth Summer Camp Community Service Action Projects!

Solar Youth Moments from Winter 08 and Spring 09!

Please enjoy these photos from our adventures!

Rock to Rock!

On April 25th, 2009 Solar Youth participated in Rock to Rock, a day-long event celebrating Earth Day and the rich cultural and environmental resources that New Haven has to offer. Watch the video to learn more and see the fun experiences our youth had!

Youth Do Their Own Election

On November 4th, youth from the Westville Manor public housing development in New Haven, CT gave the children and adults in their community an opoortunity to vote to see who they prefer as our new President. Watch to see the results.

Service Crew cooks for Columbus House

Service Crew students grew a garden to benefit the Columbus House Homeless Shelter. The pizza that they made out of their organic herbs fed over 70 people!

Letter to Presidential Candidates

Service Crew youth send a video to the presidential candidates telling them what THEY think are important issues in the upcoming elections.

May Field Trip Highlights!

On May 17th, youth enjoyed a beautiful day at East Rock Park. Each child canoed on the Mill River, visited the Nature Center, and hiked to the top of East Rock to enjoy breathtaking views of New Haven.

Please watch this short video from the field trip!



One May 10th, Solar Youth participated in the Great Parks Pursuit kick-off day at Hammonasset State Park, sponsored by the CT Department of Environmental Protection as part of the No Child Left Inside campaign. The youth participated in a variety of activities such as: weather forecasting, reading, orienteering, sunscreen safety, kite making and flying, bubble blowing, bike riding and potato sack racing.

Watch the slideshow below to view pictures from both field trips!

Raptors visit Solar Youth!

On Friday, May 16th, Teresa Kramer of Canton Raptor Care brought three captive raptors to visit Westville Manor. Solar Youth's Citycology, Service Crew, Adventure Team, and Steward Team interns spent the rainy afternoon learning about raptor ecology, biology, and conservation. Check out the pictures!