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Grand Canyon Youth Builds Lasting Connections to Rivers

May 27, 2026  |  community partnership, community science, experiential learning, grand canyon national park, grand canyon youth, natural history, nature-based art, non-extractive evaluation, northern arizona university, outdoor education, river trips, youth outdoor recreation
a young paddler smiles as water splashes into them
Photo by Katie Woodard, courtesy of Grand Canyon Youth

For almost 30 years, Grand Canyon Youth (GCY) has been offering educational outdoor experiences that connect young people from across the country to the rivers and canyons of the southwestern U.S. These place-based experiences help teenagers, who are in a developmental period marked by change, ground themselves in nature and recognize their place in a larger landscape. On a GCY trip, participants learn how to paddle safely on the river, camp outdoors, pack and transport all the gear they need, and work with their peers to accomplish daily tasks. A participant’s experience on a GCY trip, however, goes beyond survival in a new environment. The trips merge outdoor adventure, nature-based art, and hands-on community science to help participants spark curiosity, slow down to observe their surroundings, and engage in stewardship of the places they’re visiting.

Two campers hold fish out towards the camera
Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Youth

The community science component of GCY expeditions is especially important because participants learn about the natural history of the rivers and canyons around them and collect data that advances scientific understanding of the Southwest. Through this experience, young people learn that science is a dynamic, ongoing process and that they can be part of it. It also highlights the importance of caring for our shared environment and the role we all have to play in generating hopeful outcomes for the natural world.

a group of kids stand under a waterfall
Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Youth

NRF funding allows GCY to keep costs low for participants so more kids can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Southwest regardless of family income. Funding from NRF also supports GCY in providing essential equipment to participants and staff that keeps them safe and comfortable out on the river. One key way GCY is increasing access is by offering river trips specifically designed for Indigenous youth. These trips emphasize cultural connection to natural landscapes and foster relationships both among Indigenous youth and with Indigenous mentors.

Moving forward, in addition to providing high quality outdoor experiences for kids, GCY is investing more heavily in evaluation efforts. GCY is partnering with Northern Arizona University and other community organizations to better understand the impact of immersive nature experiences and phone-free environments on young people. This data will both improve GCY programs and provide evidence to support the importance of the outdoor education sector more largely. GCY is working hard to ensure that their evaluation practices are non-extractive and are focused on elevating youth voice.

kids hold their paddles up on a raft while splashing through waves
Photo by Katie Woodard, courtesy of Grand Canyon Youth

GCY uses rivers as classrooms to allow young people to try new things, immerse themselves in nature, and connect to peers and mentors while disconnecting from the distractions of screens and technology. GCY staff have been successful in this mission in large part because of their emphasis on building long-term relationships with youth, their families, and partner organizations. Hearing the stories of positive impact is truly remarkable. Some of these stories are shared in GCY’s blog “The Ripple Effect.” NRF is grateful for our relationship with GCY and is looking forward to witnessing the next 30 years of thoughtful and intentional river-based programming from GCY.