1. What is the Elements Youth Advisory Council (YAC)?

    The Elements Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a 15-member council comprised of students between the ages of 16 and 22 years old from Butte and Glenn Counties. Members participate in bi-monthly meetings and outdoor experiences intended to increase access to and awareness of the health benefits of outdoor adventure and environmental advocacy. YAC members help lead the direction of the grant with the aim to bring the healing benefits of the program back to their respective schools and communities within Butte and Glenn Counties. The program basecamp operates out of the Terry Ashe Center (PRPD headquarters) in Paradise, CA.

  2. What do YAC members do?

    • Go on outdoor excursions and learn outdoor adventure, nature connection and advocacy skills

    • Attend bi-monthly meetings to connect

    • Network with community leaders and advocates to give input on local and regional issues and initiatives

    • Learn about different outdoor-oriented career opportunities regionally and beyond.

  3. When does the program start and end and what are key dates to know about?

    The Fall cohort starts in September and finishes in December. The dates include:

    Overnight Outings:

    Sept. 20-21 (Air theme)

    Oct. 25-26 (Water theme)

    Nov. 15-16 (Fire theme)

    Dec. 13-14 (Earth theme)

    * Weekend activities will generally start at 12noon on Saturdays and end by 2pm on Sundays.

    Bi-monthly planning & connection meetings:

    Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 8pm on zoom

    9/18, 9/25, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11, 12/18

  4. Do I have to go on all the outings and attend all of the meetings?

    Yes. The program components are designed to all fit together for an overall complete experience. We do not repeat activities. Each weekend outing is unique and the pre and post meetings are to prepare the group for each outing. That said, we know that life happens (sickness, family needs, etc.) and we will handle the situations with participants as they come up.

  5. Where do the outings and meetings take place?

    Most outings take place within Butte County. On occasion, we will take a special trip within Northern California, for instance Lassen National Park. Meetings will take place on zoom.

  6. What will happen at the Outings?

    Each 2-day weekend with focus on an elemental theme and we will focus our activities, learning, ecological issues, and careers related to each element. Below are some of the things we are planning:

    Air

    Activities/Topics: Birding, Night Sky Stargazing, Ropes Course, Forest bathing

    Water

    Activities/Topics: Canoeing, Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project, Salmon Health,

    Fire

    Activities/Topics: Pyrotherapy, Prescribed burn, Fire by Friction, Raku Clay Bowls

    Earth

    Activities/Topics: Hiking, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Land Stewardship, Oak Tree & Wildflower Planting

    **Overnight accommodations will be camping and participants will help prepare group meals. All camping equipment and food will be provided.

    **On each outing, local outdoor professionals are invited to co-guide the outing and share their technical skills, nature knowledge, and career path so members can gain the confidence to go on trips of their own and also learn how they might pursue jobs in the outdoors.

  7. What will happen at the Youth Advisory Council Meetings?

    Participants will meet bi-monthly via zoom to prepare for outings, participate in virtual group activities, and will help give input to the direction of the program and experiences. Guests from community programs and organizations will attend select meeting to share unique skills and relevant community issues.

  8. Who leads the outings and the meetings?

    Kelly Munson is the program coordinator and a co-guide for all of the program activities. Kelly has been guiding youth through outdoor & experiential education programs on and off for 28 years. She also led the Student Life Department, taught Leadership and Civic Engagement, and mentored students at Butte College for 20 years. She is a mother of 2 young adults and an artist.

    Co-Guide Brendan Clarke is a father, place-based educator and rites of passage guide. He has worked in education for over 15 years, including as a nonprofit director. He currently serves as the director of the Watershed Schoolhouse, a non-profit, nature-based micro school in Chico, CA.

  9. What if I don’t have a car or a ride to get to the outings and meetings?

    Luckily, we have funds through the grant to help with transportation so we can help with pick up and drop off if you assistance.

  10. Do I need experience in the outdoors to participate?

    No previous experience is necessary to join. Our outings start off mellow and we will build our skills during the program. You do need a positive, go-for-it attitude to try new things though and be willing to go out of your comfort zone. *note - if you are looking for a program that offers advanced, high risk outdoor activities, you may prefer a program such as Outward Bound or the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

  11. Will I have to buy gear or special clothing/footwear for any excursions or will the Youth Advisory Council provide gear?

    We aim to go on outings that do not require specialized clothing or gear. We also have a closet with limited outdoor clothing available to borrow. Most excursions will not require any technical gear or special clothing/footwear. For trips such as snow shoeing and rock climbing or any excursion that requires additional items, the YAC will provide or rent the needed gear. For overnight camping, we will provide tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and chairs. All food is provided as well.

  12. How do I get a stipend for participating with the Youth Advisory Council?

    Participants will receive a $250 dollar stipend at the end of the program if they attend all of the overnight outings and participate in the bi-monthly meetings.

  13. Can I sign up for the Youth Advisory Council for more than one year?

    Yes!! Any previous members can sign up to participate again. Returning members may take an additional leadership role on the council

  14. Do you have social media accounts that I can check out?

    Yes, you can find us at:

    Instagram @elementsyac

  15. How do I register?

    Interested participants should fill out the application below. Teachers and advisors may also support a youth by recommending them for this program. The deadline to register for the Fall 2025 program is September 12, 2025. We will send applicants an email confirmation and follow up details.

  16. Who can I talk to about the program?

    You can call/text or email the program coordinator, Kelly Munson, at 207-650-2498 or munlark4@gmail.com. Kelly works out in the field and also at the Paradise Recreation & Parks District office.