Inlakech, Spring 2002

Camping in the "Great Unkown"

by Matt Hitchcock, Outreach Director
Presidio Community YMCA

This past summer, I was able to take 12 middle school kids, ages 11-14, out backpacking in the Lake Tahoe area. We went to Kinney Reservoir and traveled through Upper and Lower Kinney Lakes. This was a five day trip and 90% of the participants had never been backpacking before.

With the help of BAWT, I was able to make sure that they had everything that they needed in order to survive out in the wilderness. We borrowed our backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, fleece, polypro, boots, stoves, cooking wear… even some water bottles.

We started the trip the way we always do with setting up Group Agreements, ground rules for the trip. We then handed out the gear from BAWT and helped them pack their packs.

After that, we drove to Kinney Reservoir and saddled up our packs for the "great unknown." We made it to our first campsite without a hitch.

That evening, we taught everyone how to prime and light the stoves, clear a kitchen, and to always keep an eye on what they were cooking. The quesadillas turned out great and they were proud of what they had done.

Each day brought new sights, sounds, and challenges. Some of our campers decided that games and songs from around the campfire should happen all day long.

Others were more serious and came to us with concerns about their family and friends. We were glad to help them out with advice and stories of our own.

What impressed me most about this trip was the fact that we were able to go a very short distance and accomplish so much. The outdoors is such an amazing medium for teaching.

This trip would definitely not have happened if it weren't for BAWT, their great staff, and - of course - their gear.