May 2007 Newsletter

274 Adults Trained 4756 Youth Served

What’s Inside

» CAP Program Launches: Urban Youth Camp Within City Limits

» BAWT Receives Grant from DCYF to Establish Biodiesel Vanpool

» BAWT Climbers Top 14,000 Feet and Raise $46,000 for Kids

» WLT Expands to 24 Participants for May Training

» Wilderness Symposium Brings Diverse Views to San Francisco State

» BAWT Takes It To The River

» Goldman-Sachs Volunteers Help BAWT Get Ahead of the Season

» Amy Chamberlain Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted

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CAP Program Launches: Urban Youth Camp Within City Limits

BAWT’s new Camping at the Presidio program launched in March with a weekend training course for 24 Camp Leaders and its first trip for Bay Area youth in April.

The children from the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center along with Camp Leaders trained at the March CAP training enjoyed their first night under the stars at the Rob Hill campsite, the only campsite in San Francisco, located in the Presidio Park in April. Thanks to BAWT’s new Camping at the Presidio program in partnership with the Presidio Trust, the Crissy Field Center and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, 22 kids, elementary age from 3rd through 5th grade, had the chance to camp at the only wilderness campground within the city limits of San Francisco. Check out the photo gallery from the trip.

The Camping at the Presidio program launched in March with a weekend long training course at which 24 Camp Leaders gained skills in facilitating camping trips for up to 30 youth at the Rob Hill camp site in the Presidio Park. With the help of generous monetary and gear donations from various foundations and corporations, BAWT stocked top-of-the-line gear at the campsite to be used by youth-serving organizations in the Bay Area for overnight camping trips. Out of the 24 instructors trained in March, 22 have booked dates to take their youth on trips to the campground at the Presidio, totaling 10 trips so far.

BAWT will hold another training session in the fall on October 12-13 and the deadline for submitting the eligibility form is August 15, 2007. Training costs for adult leaders are $35 for teachers and individuals paying out-of-pocket and $65 for community organizations.

Presidio Camping Package
- Optional round-trip transportation to and from a school or community center.
- One-night stay at the Campground at Rob Hill in the Presidio.
- Use of camping gear stored on-site in the Presidio, including tents, sleeping bags, pads and cooking equipment.
- Two-hour, place-based interactive naturalist program led by park staff.

To determine if your organization is eligible and to learn more about the CAP program, visit BAWT’s website; or call the Crissy Field Center at (415) 561-7690.

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BAWT Receives Grant from DCYF to Establish Biodiesel Vanpool

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) of San Francisco announced earlier this month that BAWT is the recipient of a grant to fund the BAWT Vanpool Collaborative. BAWT was selected along with a number of youth-serving organizations to receive funds from the new city department for the upcoming year.

BAWT has already arranged to partner with six youth-serving organizations in the Bay Area to run the Vanpool Collaborative. BAWT will use the grant money to purchase a 9-passenger Turbo Diesel Chevrolet Suburban that can run on biodiesel fuel. The Collaborative will then share the vehicle to transport youth and gear to various wilderness areas for day, overnight, or extended trips. BAWT will also utilize the vehicle to transport gear from our three extensive gear libraries in the Bay Area.

To inquire about joining the Vanpool or donating funds to the program, contact Kyle Macdonald.

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BAWT Climbers Top 14,000 Feet and Raise $46,000 for Kids

The Eastern Sierra — At a gusty three a.m., the BAWT Climb Team left their warm sleeping bags and began to make their way to the summit of the highest peak in the lower 48 states — 14,496 foot Mt. Whitney. Traveling in rope teams of three and four they followed the steep, snowy Mountaineer’s route to the summit on April 29, 2007. Nine out of thirteen climbers stood on top at midday in clear skies and balmy temps, California and Nevada spread out before their feet.

The summit was the culmination of months of fundraising and training — all aimed at helping disadvantaged youth get outside where they can discover themselves and their environment. Together the thirteen indispensable volunteers raised over $46,000 to support youth leaders and the kids they bring outdoors. With the funds that are generated by Climbing for Kids, BAWT is able to provide training and gear that gets thousands of kids out into the woods every year. Donors like you make that possible with generous gifts that put kids in tents, sleeping bags and jackets, and make it possible to train hundreds of youth leaders every year.

Special thanks to the Sierra Wilderness Seminars’ guides who oversaw the summit bid and ensured a safe and successful trip up and down the peak. The $1,500 worth of free gear given to each climber is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of Big Agnes , Gregory, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Clif Bar, Columbia, Julbo, Gu, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Leki, and Princeton Tec.

Want to join the BAWT Climbing For Kids team on Mt. Rainer or Mt. Shasta while raising money to get at-risk under-privileged youth into the outdoors? There are only three spots left on the July and August Mt. Rainier climbs and four spots on the Mt. Shasta climbs. For more information contact Cliff Agocs or visit our webpage.

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WLT Full for May Training

It’s that time of the year again. Time to get out into the wilderness and train more leaders in the Bay Area the skills necessary to lead the youth they serve on outdoor trips. Bawt’s Wilderness Leadership Training courses only happen three times a year with the first coming up at the end of May. This year, in response to the increased number of interest in the course, BAWT has extended its June WLT course to train 30 participants. The September course is still limited to 20 spots.

Since 1999, BAWT has trained 274 adults in the intensive five-day training course that encompasses everything from basic wilderness first aid to nutrition and group dynamics. Participants are also engaged in role-playing activities in order to practice the skills learned throughout the course. Cost for the course is based on a sliding scale and scholarships are also available to cover tuition costs.

Spots are still available for the June 25th-29th and August 12th-16th courses. For more information contact Chelsea Griffie or visit the WLT page on BAWT’s website.

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Wilderness Symposium Brings Diverse Views to San Francisco State

BAWT never seems to be short on ambition, and so it went when Mike Yoshioka, former BAWT intern, Sequoia/Kings Canyon backcountry ranger and new Environmental Education Director envisioned the Redefining Wilderness Symposium. The Symposium took place April 5th and 6th at San Francisco State University where over 60 panelists and speakers from all over California participated in the event. It gave participants a chance to hear viewpoints on the wilderness ranging from land managers to wilderness educators, to mountain bike advocates and foes.

To learn more about the speakers and agenda for the event visit the Wilderness Symposium page on our website.

Stay tuned for podcasts of the panels and speakers as they'll be added to the BAWT website later this spring!

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BAWT Takes It To The River

Imagine your heart is pounding, you're wet, wild and feelin' free!! You're rafting on the American River with Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT)!!! We are excited to announce the dam has been released and registration for our 4th Annual Rafting Trip is now open!

This trip down the South Fork of the American River will take place on July 21-22, 2007. BAWT volunteer and former board member Delton Johnson organizes the entire trip with 6 other trained guides who are volunteering their time so that all of proceeds can go directly to BAWT¹s programs and services.

- Camping:- BAWT will have a campsite at Camp Lotus for those wishing to camp out Friday or Saturday evening ($9 per person/per night). Camp Lotus has parking, hot showers and a camp store that sells fresh baked muffins and lattes! Guest can arrive the night before and camp with BAWT and have fun around the campfire, play volleyball and socialize over dinner and breakfast. Space is limited, but BAWT has pre-reserved camp spots. Camp Lotus is kid friendly!
- Rafting:- On one day we'll raft the class III Gorge section of the river and on the other we will raft the class III+ Chili Bar section. Each is about 10-12 miles long and should take about 5 or 6 hours to complete.
- Food:- We will serve soft drinks and lunch: cold-cut sandwiches, veggie pitas, & fruit/melon. You should plan on brining additional food for breakfast and dinners at camp.
- Shuttles:- We will coordinate shuttles using private vehicles to and from the put in/take out.

Minimum Cost:- Adult $75 - (Children 13-15 yrs old $50) per day of rafting. Donations can be made by check, made out to BAWT. Please send check to the address below. Please be sure to include with your payment the number of days you would like to raft and, if applicable, the names of the person(s) you are paying for and that will be rafting with you:
Cliff Agocs
Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT)
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94133
OR
Use our online form

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Goldman-Sachs Volunteers Help BAWT Get Ahead of the Season

Special thanks to the volunteers from Goldman-Sachs that put in their time to help BAWT get ready for the busy summer season. Thanks to Shal and the rest of the volunteers, BAWT will head into the summer with our gear in order and our tents sealed and ready for whatever comes there way.

BAWT’s volunteers and donors keep us going and turn our mission into reality. To our donors that continue to give every year — you rock! And to those of you that have given for the first time this year — welcome!

For current volunteer opportunities or to make a donation visit our website.

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Amy Chamberlain Scholarship Application Still Being Accepted

The Amy Chamberlain Scholarship was established to honor the life of Amy Chamberlain, a longtime volunteer with BAWT and an incredible young woman. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition for BAWT’s Wilderness Leadership Training, allowing an individual whose organization lacks the funds to pay for the WLT a chance to learn the skills necessary to lead wilderness trips for the youth they serve. To learn more about the scholarship visit the Amy Chamberlain scholarship page on the BAWT website or contact Michael Mitrani. Applications are still being accepted for the June Wilderness Leadership Training course.

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Save the Date

Upcoming BAWT Discovery Sessions

- Tuesday, May 29th: 8-9am
- Wednesday, June 5th: 6-7 pm (Milpitas)
- Wednesday, June 27th: 6-7pm
- Tuesday, July 24th: 8-9 am
- Thursday, August 23rd: 6-7 pm
- Tuesday, September 18th: 8-9 am
- Wednesday, October 10th: 6-7 pm
- Tuesday, November 13th: 8-9 am
- Thursday, December 13th: 6-7pm

Discovery Sessions are informational and inspirational orientations to BAWT and our work to get at-risk youth into the wilderness. They are a great way to find out a bit more about what we do, get a tour of the office and our gear room and find out how to get involved. Join us, bring your friends, and help us grow the BAWT community.

BAWT Discovery Sessions are held at BAWT’s San Francisco headquarters at 300 Broadway, Suite 28, San Francisco, CA 94133 , or at Today’s Youth Matter Milpitas Headquarters at 491 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 . Your RSVP would be greatly appreciated: Email Michael Mitrani or call 415-788-3666 x156.

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