About Us: Our History & Mission

Our Vision

UrbanTrekkers seeks to complement UrbanPromise’s highly successful academic programming with expeditionary learning opportunities. We believe education requires motivation—an awakening of the childlike curiosity that is part of human nature. Trekker trips are designed to motivate students to learn from their outdoor experiences and carry that motivation into their studies. Activities are designed to help develop students’ skills in teamwork, leadership, and decision-making.

Our dedicated group of staff, interns, and volunteers believe the experiences we have during adolescence directly influence the direction and path we follow the rest of our lives. An important part of those experiences are the relationships formed with positive and caring adult role models—those committed to teaching our youth that each individual is wonderfully created in the image of God and poised for success in the future.


The UrbanTREKKERS Mission

To be an outdoor, hands-on, up-close learning and mentoring program where the world is our classroom.

In just three years, 18 wooden kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats have been hand-crafted by Camden youth.

From the mountains of Maine to the museums of Washington, D.C., each year, 100 UrbanPromise middle and high school youth trek to places far beyond the inner city of Camden.

Cross-cultural experiences, historical perspectives, & team-building exercises are just some of the key elements of UrbanTrekkers 14 annual expeditions.

 

More about UrbanPromise

UrbanTrekkers is one of several programs of UrbanPromise, a youth development nonprofit that has been serving the city of Camden since 1988. UrbanPromise's mission--to equip children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and leadership--is accomplished through after-school and summer camps, two private schools, teen job training, and experiential learning opportunities. Over the course of year, UrbanPromise engages around 600 children and teens from the Camden area through its relational approach to education, youth empowerment, and leadership development.