For Shubh and Lily, Expedition Casey was more than hiking and camping; it was an opportunity to build confidence, learn new skills, and grow closer as a group.

Launching this past summer, Expedition Casey is YMCA Camp Casey's newest program, giving teens the chance to take their camp experience beyond the property and into the backcountry.

This week-long adventure began with a ferry ride to Fort Flagler, where teens disconnected from technology to pitch their own tents, cook their own meals, and do the dishes together, learning early on what it means to work as a team. Along the way, the program teaches campers skills such as shelter building, first aid, and fire safety, including how to tend to a campfire together.

Some of the most meaningful moments happened during campfire and beach reflections, where counselors encouraged campers to explore big questions about who they are and what they want to be remembered for.

"I'd say the journey itself. From hiking together, going on the bus, setting up tents, and going around the campfire, all those things really made the highlight of my experience," Shubh shared.

That sense of connection didn't come easily at first. Shubh admitted the group didn't click right away, but over time, hikes, meals, and campfires side by side turned strangers into a team that trusted each other.

Lily encourages others to register for Expedition Casey because the people, environment, and atmosphere make it worth it. "If anyone is scared to be away from home, I understand that," Lily said. "Just go, because you might think back and regret it."

At YMCA Camp Casey, experiences like Expedition Casey give young people space to discover new strengths, build lasting connections, and become more confident leaders, one adventure at a time.

Expedition Casey is one of many programs that give teens a starting point in leadership, with pathways like Counselor in Training helping them discover new opportunities and carry the lessons of camp with them as they grow. To learn more about programs at YMCA Camp Casey, visit ymcacampcasey.org.