AMES, Iowa -- One week of wilderness travel nets a lifetime of skills and memories for Iowa youth each summer through trips offered by Iowa State University Extension (ISU) 4-H Youth Development. Summer 2005 offers treks to the Rocky Mountains, the Boundary Waters, Isle Royale National Park and Iowa's Pine Bluff camp.

"You don't need to be a natural athlete, but you do need to be healthy and energetic," Marsha Morgan, ISU 4-H program specialist, said. Wilderness leaders trained by ISU Extension will lead the trips, which are open to all youth including non-4-H'ers who meet age limits.

Youth age 14 and older can join one of four trips.

* June 18-25 or July 30-Aug. 6 youth will travel to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota for a backpacking trek. They will learn to portage canoes and packs, read maps and live in tents without leaving a trace. Cost is $320.

* During a June 25-July 2 horsepacking trek to Meeker, Colo., youth will travel through scenic mountain trails, fish in cold mountain lakes and sleep in fully furnished high country camps. Cost is $600. Stipends may be available for part of the cost; youth should contact their local ISU Extension office for details.

* A July 16-23 hiking trip to the Rocky Mountains takes youth backpacking through the mountain streams and meadows while learning about wilderness ethics, outdoor living skills and natural history. Cost is $320.

* Youth traveling to Isle Royale National Park on the Aug. 8-15 canoe trip will navigate a canoe in and around the islands that form the Isle Royale archipelago. Cost is $320.

A June 3-5 family trip to Pine Bluff near Decorah will teach families how to tackle the great outdoors while canoeing down the Iowa River and camping and backpacking through northeast Iowa. Cost is $50 for adults and $45 for children under 12.

Adults 21 and older traveling to Isle Royale National Park on a July 23-30 leadership trip will learn about wilderness cooking, ethics, trip leadership, orienteering and become certified wilderness trip leaders. Cost is $400.

For more information, contact the local county ISU Extension office, call the state 4-H office at (515) 294-1017 or visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/naturalresources.