On Friday, May 2, 2025, we’ll embark on a Spring day hike that will allow us to explore and better understand our natural surroundings, strengthen observation skills, and help us see another part of the world right before our eyes.
Location & Schedule
Departure Time: 9:00 am
Expected return time: 4PM
Meeting Location: Claremont International High School, Bronx NY
Hike Location: 1001 Arden Valley Rd. Southfields, NY, 10975 (Elk Pen Parking Lot at Harriman State Park)
Trail information
We will be hiking 5.2 miles of the Island Pond Via Appalachian Trail (Lemon Squeezer) out and back.
What to bring:
2 Water bottles
Snacks
Fruit (banana or apples preferred)
Sandwich in a sealable bag
Backpack
Windbreaker, vest, fleece or lightweight jacket appropriate for the weather.
Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
Camping to Connect’s programming is designed to:
Build emotional self-awareness and confidence.
Offer students support and mentorship..
Promote effective communication, leadership, and group development skills.
Instruct students in basic outdoor skills such as trail navigation, bird watching, and more.
Teach participants about community values, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
Allow students to build a deep connection to the outdoors, and form brotherhood.
Camping to Connect (“C2C”) is a BIPOC-led experiential mentorship program that uses outdoor recreation and nature immersion to address the diverse issues faced by young men of color in America’s cities—from mental health to healthy masculinity.
We provide young men of color with a safe space for meaningful conversations, connecting them with nature, their peers, and dedicated mentors. Our leadership reflects the backgrounds of our youth participants, fostering a vital paradigm shift in their self-perception and understanding of their place in the world.