Education

Report on Youth Trailworkers and Campers

January, 2009

Vice-Chair, Education: Rose Rivezzi

Christy Fuller was one of the campers we sponsored at Camp Colby this summer. She had a rewarding experience, which included discovering that she could steer a canoe. Sarah Rice was our second camper, who sent us the following about her Camp Colby experience:

“We had environmental studies every day. We learned how to identify different trees and looked through different books on trees. One of my favorite lessons was water study. We went knee high into the lake with nets and found a lot of different bugs and even a shrimp and turtle. We then talked about all the critters we had found … Again, thank you so much for sending me to camp. I had an amazing time and made some really great friends.”

We want to send one or two campers to Lake Colby again in 2009. If you know of a child 12 to 14 years old who would like to attend and who qualifies for free or reduced lunches at school, please let me know. I can send her or him the information needed to apply for our sponsorship. The application deadline will be 16 January.

Julie Beck was the teenage trail volunteer whom the chapter sponsored. She sends the following report:

“My week spent volunteering on the ADK Trail Crew was interesting, to say the least. I signed up on the St. Regis program. We hiked up Monday morning two miles on the trail to our campsite. After getting an explanation of what we were going to do, we began work. Quarrying rocks took up a large portion of the week. Moving large rocks with nothing but a metal rock bar took work, but it was very satisfying when we were successful. Once we had mined all the rocks we needed for our project, my crew and I set about setting the stone in the trail. Come week's end, we had constructed a water bar and a set of stepping stones for hikers. The stones made it much easier to pass through that section of trail, especially during the wet season when the trail turns into a muddy mess.

“I had expected the trip to include work, but no one can ever truly understand something until they experience it. This was an incredible opportunity to accomplish something long-lasting and worthwhile. I'm glad I was able to take part.”

A big thanks to Julie. If you know of a teen who might be interested in volunteering next summer, please let me know by March.

Education Archive