Written by Jaciline Lee
Pictures of SPROG 2025, by Sierra Club
History of SPROG & SSC
The Summer Program, also known as SPROG, was a legacy of the Sierra Student Coalition (SSC), the former youth branch of the Sierra Club. It was founded by Adam Werbach in 1991 to network young people together to protect their future by training, organizing, campaigning, and developing as leaders in the service of environmental, racial, and economic justice.
Each summer, students from across the country gathered to learn and join communities in preparation for mobilization in activism. It was a cornerstone of youth-led environmental organizing.
Despite its lasting impact, the SSC was disbanded in 2023 due to shifting national priorities. The decision to dissolve was without a formal vote, even though the SSC was technically under Chapter status. Since its dissolution, former members and youth organizers have felt disempowered. The desire for a coalition amongst youth within the Sierra Club was apparent.
Reviving SPROG in 2025
Although SPROG was dismantled, Sierra Club chapters continued to support youth organizing, allowing for young leaders to build local movements, advocate for their future, and attend trainings. Although these chapters continued to prioritize this, there was still a need for a recognized chapter, such as the former SSC, that could unite young Sierra Club members across North America. We’ve rebuilt SPROG because we know that uniting people from diverse backgrounds is crucial to shaping collective visions and driving cross-regional solutions. Lisa, one of the co-directors of this year’s SPROG, explained how valuable it is to attend a retreat, connect with other youth members, and return home with knowledge and capabilities to apply what you’ve learned in your community.
The idea to bring back SPROG emerged during a Colloquium with chapter leaders as they discussed the absence of youth leadership in the organization. Morgan, the former Angeles Chapter Director, took the initiative to build the planning documents that would kickstart the return of the Summer Program. Within weeks, six chapters began collaborating, grounded in the shared belief in investing in young leaders for the present and future of the environmental movement.
Relaunching SPROG was an arduous task that was executed by local leaders, volunteers, and trainers. The biggest challenge was the time constraints. A retreat of this caliber usually takes six months, and it was completed in four. “It took a lot of trust, especially since the whole team would only meet once a month,” said Ariel, a co-director from the Angeles Chapter.
This SPROG was different than the previous ones; Instead of relying on National, it was a chapter-led model. Resources were funded by individuals who understand that youth organizing is a pillar of environmental solutions. There were numerous challenges, but with coordinated logistics, community support, and a shared vision, SPROG 2025 was a success.
SPROG 2025!
This summer, a total of 45 youth members from seven chapters across the west (Utah, Idaho, Puerto Rico, Rio Grande, Loma Prieta, Los Angeles, and Mother Lode) went to the Clair Tapaan Lodge in the Lake Tahoe area in California for the revival of SPROG since its discontinuation in 2019. It was a week teeming with cultivating relationships, developing skills as future activists, and establishing a community.
Participants took part in workshops on campaign strategy, direct action, and frameworks for climate justice. They developed campaign plans and specific grassroots actions for their local communities, from making a plan to build a sculpture for reproductive justice to discussing strategy to standing with their neighbors against ICE raids, and so much more. A Waši∙šiw (Washoe) educator shared the history and culture of the Lake Tahoe Basin, reminding us of the land and its legacy.
Most participants arrived unsure of what to expect, but left with a transformative experience of deep relationships, purpose, and drive for change. One participant reflected, “I’m hoping I can bring forward new strategies into activism in my community and feel empowered alongside so many great people I met here.”
SPROG wasn’t solely about the training; it was about community. We jumped into the frigid alpine lakes, showcased our passions at the talent show, and stayed up late telling our vulnerable stories around the campfire. These moments, equal parts healing and energizing, reminded participants and trainers why building community is a core part of our work.
The Future of SPROG & SSC
SPROG is a catalyst for young communities to help them solve our climate crisis and emerge as organizers, mobilizing campaigns. Young people are not only the future of our environment; they are the present. We envision SPROG as a nationally supported, youth-led, regionally rooted program that encourages young leaders to drive bold campaigns and challenge the extractive systems. “Take on the Sierra Club.” Said Dyane, another co-director. “Be bold. It’s your right, and we need you all.”
On the last night of SPROG this year, the group took up the call and collectively voted to reinstate the SSC. They formed a volunteer Executive Committee that has been meeting weekly ever since and that spoke to the National Sierra Club Board of Directors in September.
The wheels are now in motion to get the SSC and annual SPROGs back up and running again, and plans are already in the works for SPROG 2026, on both the West Coast and East Coast.
But we can’t do it alone. SPROG 2025 was only able to come to fruition due to the chapters and donors who invested in youth. To keep it going and growing, we need your support. Please donate and get involved!
Adults: Donate to Support Our Youth Work!
Youth: Join the Sierra Student Coalition!
Author Bio
Jaciline Lee was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is currently pursuing a double major in Marketing and Environmental Sustainability Studies at the University of Utah, with an emphasis in Conservation and Land Management. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and viola, as well as spending time outdoors. During the warmer months, she'll be fishing or hiking, while in the winter, she takes every opportunity to go skiing.
Inspired by Utah’s natural landscapes, Jaciline is passionate about ensuring that everyone of all backgrounds has access to these outdoor spaces. She is committed to raising awareness about conservation issues on both a local and global scale and strives to empower underrepresented communities through advocacy and community engagement. Creating just solutions and protecting biodiversity is her core mission.