June 2009 Issue

618 Adults Trained
8,256 Youth Served

What's Inside

» Kyle's Notes
» Reflections from the Field
» Camping at the Presido Update
» BAWT YouTube Video
» Backyard Backcountry
» Climbing For Kids Mt. Whitney Climb
» Come Out for BAWT'S Volunteer Night
» Donate and Receive Merrell Products
» BAWT on the Radio
» Thank you to our recent donors!

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During the last month, you helped us get 291 kids outdoors! Thank you. Each youth demonstrates the power of BAWT’s community. We look forward to a successful June with continued support from YOU – youth-workers, donors, volunteers, foundations and corporate supporters.

In other news, the Richard Louv Mini-Grants is – as you read this – providing $250 grants to youth agencies and youth workers that are getting kids outdoors all over the Bay Area and beyond. And, we welcome a new face to the BAWT community. Zak Klein joins the BAWT team as the new CAP Coordinator. He takes on a big job, heading our most prolific program. His efforts lead the charge in reaching over 1,000 kids each year. Read more about him later in this issue.

On a somber note, we celebrate the life and acknowledge the passing of Brian O’Neill – a great man whose legacy enables innumerable experiences in the outdoors. Brian – the gregarious 67-year-old Superintendent of Golden Gate National Parks – passed on May 13^th. His work helped to turn a concrete parking lot into what is now Crissy Field, part of the urban oasis known as the Presidio. His vision (un)paved the way for CAP, as well as sunny days for countless San Franciscans and visitors. Please take a minute to read more about Brian’s amazing life. His story inspires us all to get ourselves, and the next generation of youth outdoors!

Kyle Macdonald
Founder and CEO

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Reflections From the Field

Youth from Alice Griffith Opportunity Center enjoying their new parkas.

 “I was returning gear at BAWT the other day after Sister Stephanie and I took a group of 13 children snowshoeing in Castle Peak. These kids from the Bayview neighborhood are so eager for new experiences, and their parents are so grateful that their kids get to explore opportunities outside their immediate community. The broad range of ages on our outings, makes for tricky last minute gear-outfitting, but it’s always worth it to see the joy in their faces once we get outdoors.

As it turns out, Columbia had just made a large donation to BAWT, including 40 beautiful, brand-new winter parkas. They were perfect for the kids. Thanks to BAWT and Columbia for making this generous gift, and for keeping the kids warm on our snowshoeing trip!”

Laura Lifland, Lazarus House/Communities of Opportunity
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Camping at the Presidio Update

Take your youth camping in the Presidio this summer, and chances are that you will catch a smile from Zak Klein, BAWT’s new CAP Coordinator. Ask him what he loves about the outdoors, and he’ll tell you that “The simplicity of outdoor living fosters friendship and connection among people in a way that's elusive among 2009's gadgetry and distractions.”

Zak comes to BAWT with impressive credentials. He has worked as a field instructor for NOLS and Outward Bound USA across the country from the Florida Keys and the Appalachians to the Yellowstone highlands and the Bay Area’s Big Basin State Park. He is an accomplished instructor of whitewater canoeing, alpine backpacking, climbing, sailing and caving.  Zak has witnessed firsthand how outdoor adventures and environmental education can change kids’ lives while working with students from public school systems in Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Oakland. And he lives his work - in 2000, he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.

What motivates him? “Knowing that we can reveal a special nook for a camping experience right in San Francisco's Presidio is unique and exciting!”

Please join us in welcoming Zak to your BAWT community.

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Introducing Bawtmovies, our new channel on YouTube

In an effort to keep BAWT fans and supporters updated on our activities and to connect them with outdoor enthusiasts around the world, BAWT recently launched its own channel on YouTube called "Bawtmovies” Here one can find the latest BAWT organizational news, news, short field guide videos that demonstrate a specific skill or proper technique, such as snow-shoeing, updates on Climbing for Kids events and training hikes, and biographical stories of long-time BAWT staff and volunteers. The content ranges from the practical to the quirky, with some of BAWT’s professionally produced films included. To keep the content fresh and relevant we will post videos on a regular basis. In addition to viewing the content on YouTube or via BAWT.org, please subscribe to our channel and, most importantly, share the videos with friends and family through Facebook and any other social network you use. It’s an easy way to help us grow the BAWT community so that we can get kids outdoors!

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Backyard Backcountry

How many of the young people you work with have spent a day at the beach? Our guess: Not enough! This month we’re featuring three beach options that are all accessible by public transportation: Ocean Beach, Ayala Cove on Angel Island, and Stinson Beach. It takes a bit of planning and flexibility to get to these destinations by public transportation, but it also presents the opportunity to teach kids about the importance of mass transit and its role in helping us reduce our carbon footprint. To help plan your trip to any of these destinations, Bay Nature's April issue has the perfect guide for you. The "Transit to Trails" special section features a fold-out map that highlights hiking and biking trails accessible by public transit. You can download the map for free by going to baynature.org/articles/apr-jun-2009/transit-to-trails, or you may purchase a copy at www.baynature.org/store.

Once you’ve selected your destination, pack the sand toys, kites, and a picnic lunch, stop by BAWT to grab some warm, wind-resistant clothing for the kids, and you are good to go!

To reach Ocean Beach from San Francisco, you can have an urban adventure by walking or biking a scenic twelve miles beginning from the Embarcadero BART Station through Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina, Crissy Field, and Land’s End. Or, you can hop on the MUNI Line’s N Judah which will take you directly there. Fares for adults are $1.50 and fares for youth between the ages of five and 17 are 50 cents.

To reach Angel Island’s Ayala Cove, catch a Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry from Pier 39. Round trip tickets for adults are $18 and $11.50 for children between the ages of six to 12. Ayala Cove offers picnic tables, a sheltered beach great for wading, and a picture perfect view. More than 13 miles of foot trails and fire roads circle the island, so if the kids are up for it, challenge them to reach the 788-foot high summit of Mt. Livermore where they will get a spectacular 360 degree view of the Bay Area. The newly renovated Immigration Station is also worth checking out, and presents kids with an educational opportunity to learn more about Chinese immigration to the United States and their long stays at this detention facility. For more information go to www.angelisland.org.

Reaching Stinson Beach is a bit more challenging, but well worth the trip. You can get across the Golden Gate Bridge and to the Marin City Transit Hub by catching a Golden Gate Transit bus at 1st and Mission Street in San Francisco. A one-way fare for adults is $3.75 and for youth it is half that much. From Marin City, catch the West Marin Stagecoach (www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PW/main/marintransit/stage) which will take you all the way to Stinson Beach, at a cost of $2 for adults and $1 for youth between the ages of six and 18.

Don’t forget the BAWTmobile is also a great option for trips with six or less kids, since this minivan holds seven people including the driver. For information about how to reserve a BAWTmobile, go to www.bawt.org. Under Lead A Trip click on borrow a van – the BAWTmobile.

Finally, www.511.org is a great resource that can help you find transportation to your desired Bay Area destination, and also look for the website www.transitandtrails.org to become active soon.

Happy beachcombing!

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Climbing For Kids- Mt . Whitney Climb

 

CFK climbers completed their goal of climbing Mt. Whitney early this June. The five bay area participants climbed the highest peak in the contagious 48 states apart of a fundraising event for BAWT. To find out more about CFK and how you can climb a 14,000+ peak for kids, please click here.

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BAWT Volunteer Night

Volunteer with Bay Area Wilderness Training ONE NIGHT Every Night 

• Help repair, sort and clean gear
• Fold and stuff mailings
• Learn about BAWT making a difference in your community
• Share laughs and yummy beer with a vibrant community of volunteers and youth-workers
• Meet hiking partners for your next trip!

When: July 15th, 6-9 pm  and on the third Wednesday of every month.

Where: 2301 Broadway Avenue Suite B in Oakland - enter on 23rd, behind the Lucky Goldfish

RSVP: Cliff

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Donate & Get Free Merrell Footwear or Apparel!

Help us take the next steps in getting more kids outdoors and we will get you stepping out in a new Merrell footwear or apparel!

The first 40 people who contribute $150 or more to Bay Area Wilderness Training will receive a $110 gift certificate to purchase a new footwear or apparel, thanks to our generous sponsor Merrell.  You get to choose from the products on Merrell's website.

Thanks to BAWT's generous sponsor:

 

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Did You Hear Us On The Radio?

Chelsea Griffie, Eri Suzuki, and Aaron Gilbert spoke on behalf of Bay Area Wilderness Training!  Bay Area Radio Station KPFA 94.1 featured  a segment on Getting Urban Youth out to the Wilderness. Please click here to listen to the broadcast.
 

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