Overnight, backcountry expeditions meant to help students connect more deeply with the region, challenge themselves in fun and exciting ways, and build outdoor leadership skills. These trips may include some backpacking, river rafting, rock climbing, watching films and occasionally some cultural exchanges.

We offer a variety of single day and single overnight activities throughout the year. These “field trip” style outings go to the Ouray Ice Festival, Valentine Farm in Norwood, Nordic Ski days in Telluride, and more. All of our weekend trips are open enrollment, so check the program calendar and get yourself or your teen signed up!

Sometimes True North partners with other organizations or schools in the watershed to offer special trips. Examples of these include: class trips, visits to the AhHaa school of the arts, college visits with the Telluride AVID program, and so on. These trips come up often, but are not always open enrollment. Trips that are open for anyone to sign-up will be on the programs calendar.

Telluride

Wednesday 3:20pm - 5:00pm

Base Camp in Telluride is an afterschool program that takes place in the TMHS library. Telluride middle and high school students can drop in for help with their homework, resumes, job and/or college appplications, and grab a snack.

Telluride

Tuesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

The Shed in Telluride is a space students can visit after school and on weekends throughout the year. A True North staff member will only be there on Tuesdays, but students are welcome to stop by any day of the week to hangout, play games, chat with their friends, or just grab a snack.

Norwood

Wednesday 11:00am-1:00pm

Thursday 11:00am - 1:00pm

Norwood High School teen space is kept open throughout the week during and after school for students to stop by and hang, work on assignments and other tasks or just have a snack.

Naturita

Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Friday Hang in Naturita is hosted in the West End Economic Development Center (WEEDC) basement from on Fridays for drop in participation to Norwood and Nucla teens (residents/students) to spend time with friends, play Rock Band, and do arts and crafts.

True North + AhHaa: Creative Workshops for Curious Minds

Through a special partnership with the AhHaa School for the arts, True North is excited to offer hands-on creative workshops that explore natural materials and artistic techniques. From eco-printing with leaves and flowers on silk to sculpting with felt or clay. These programs invite West End Students to experiment and create in a supportive environment. Half of these program days take place in the West end and the other half in Telluride. Keep an eye out for upcoming sessions!

True North + JFK: The San Miguel Current

True North is proud to partner with the Just For Kids Foundation to publish The San Miguel Current, an annual student magazine that showcases the creativity of youth across the San Miguel River watershed—from Telluride to Gateway, and everywhere in between. Open to students of all ages, the publication features writing, poetry, music, photography, visual art, and more. It’s a powerful platform for students to share their voices, express themselves, and be recognized for their work. If you’re a student interested in showcasing your work in Volume 3, you can do so with this link.

True North + EcoAction Partners

True North and EcoAction Partners, with funding from the Just For Kids Foundation, are partnering to offer students throughout the watershed an opportunity to elevate their voices around environmental topics. Students with an interest in, or curiosity for, any of the following are strongly encouraged to join: resource management, land preservation/conservation, governance, green business, climate issues, or related fields. This extracurricular activity is an opportunity to gain experience in the fields mentioned above, and a great way to amass meaningful volunteer hours.

True North partners with a handful of other organizations in the community to offer students opportunities to volunteer. Keep an eye on the program and activities calendar as well as the volunteer opportunities page for upcoming events!