Read more about life on a BOLD & GOLD trip here.

Our staff are experienced outdoor educators with an extensive background in working with youth. They have advanced wilderness medical training, specific child abuse prevention training, and go through a rigorous 5- to 7-day training on BOLD & GOLD curriculum, how to develop leadership in all, and behavioral management.

BOLD & GOLD prioritizes serving every youth in our program, and gendered trips allow some campers more freedom to express themselves authentically. In addition, part of BOLD & GOLD's mission is to challenge gender stereotypes. It is important to us that we create trips for young women to experience firsthand that they can be capable outdoor leaders.

To register online, click the appropriate registration link on the program page. If you have an existing YMCA of San Francisco account, log in and register your camper.

If you don't have an account with us, you can register yourself as a community participant and then add your teen to your account. Go to the correct registration link on the program page, click "Sign Up" in the top right corner, choose the "Point Bonita YMCA" as your location, and then click on “Community Participant.” Follow the prompts and enter your information, then add your child to the account afterward. Once you have created your account, return to the program page, log in to your account, and register.

Once you complete your online registration, all participants will complete a more detailed paper registration. If you still need help, contact our staff at ONevado@ymcasf.org.

All deposits are non-refundable. In cases of no-shows, homesickness, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal, there is no refund of fees. All cancellations must be submitted by email to ONevado@ymcasf.org at least three weeks before the trip start date for a full refund.

Cancellations between 3 and 1 weeks before your trip start date will result in a 50% refund, not including the deposit. Cancellations the week of the trip until the start date will result in a 25% refund, not including the deposit. All requests for a full refund must be submitted in writing via email or mail. If the cancellation is due to a medical reason, a physician-authorized medical excuse must be provided to be considered.

On the trail, the land is our bathroom, and proper showers wait until our return from the backcountry.

In the backcountry, we re-wear our clothes without washing them throughout the trip. To keep our packs light, dirty clothes become part of the experience.

An essential element of our trips is the small group size. Our groups typically have 6-10 participants and two instructors. Single-gender trips often have instructors who are the same gender as the participants.

We encourage you to sign up for the trip that will make YOU feel the most comfortable. You will be welcomed and supported whether you join a trip that is all gender, boys or girls. Our program director and instructors want to create the most inclusive environment for our campers, so please get in touch with us before the trip if we can help with any of your needs.

If you signed up for the same trip (including dates, location, and gender) as friends, then you will be in the same group. All other arrangements will be made on the trail with your trip's leaders to best serve the group dynamic.

Due to the nature of backpacking, campers will be offline for the entirety of the trip. Instructors have satellite phones for emergencies and daily check-ins; otherwise, communication is limited. If you have concerns or family emergencies while your child is away, please contact the program director for arrangements. Otherwise, your child can share their memories and photos once they return from the trail.

At the Y, safety is our number one priority. Our instructors are trained to handle a variety of emergency situations and we have protocols and emergency action plans in place if needed. For non-urgent incidents, each trip leader has advanced wilderness medical training to help your child.

You can find our packing list here.

No. We provide all the group gear, such as tents and stoves. We also have necessary personal items and other equipment, including clothing and backpacks, available for loan.

All campers will carry their personal gear on their backs and share the responsibility to carry the group gear. At the beginning of each trip, we do a "Duffle Shuffle" and go through the gear that campers have, help them check out items to borrow, and encourage them to leave some items behind to lighten their packs. Your child should expect a challenge in carrying their pack, but we work with each participant to ensure their packs keep them physically and emotionally safe.