#ycamp

i cant wear them cuz then the sharpie signatures would come out

so i’m kinda thinking about making a quilt for camp out of them and some of my rally shirts and elementary school shirts

"Bridges become frames for looking at the world around us.” - Bruce Jackson

There is something lovely about a bridge. Many times, while traipsing through the backcountry, I have been awed by the presence of a well-constructed aid to my passage right where I have needed it most. A bridge provides particular access to views otherwise reserved for fish and birds. A bridge allows the hiker to stand fully engulfed in the sound of water tumbling over stone, or to be cooled by the spray of a cascade, or to watch silver fish make their passage below. There lies within a sort of magic, taking one from the first bank to the next where otherwise the path might have ended.

Since 1979, YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake has served as the school forest for Reedley College. This collaboration has birthed many mutually beneficial projects, the most recent of which was the completion of a 50-foot-long bridge on the Lake Trail just southeast of Redwood Village. The view from this bridge changes with the season: from a laughing, sprinting Spring flow to the resting place for a multitude of butterflies when the water is low in late Summer.

Students from Reedley’s Forest Recreation Class (NR30) completed the immense project in just 20 days.They removed the previous iteration using a Lewis winch with a chainsaw head (bridge removal being no small task). The two-log string bridge followed a Forest Service design including a 10-inch steel eye beam and tension cable that makes the bridge able to withstand equine passage. The six-by-six inch top rail is made entirely of redwood that was harvested and milled in Reedley and brought to camp. The 45-degree placement of the rail (a technique used by the National Park Service) is meant to deter people from being tempted to try to climb or walk upon it. It also allows precipitation to slough off as not to sit and rot the wood.

The remainder of the bridge is comprised of fir and incense cedar that was collected and milled right at YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake. The bridge itself was raised several feet from the original position to avoid being struck by debris coming down the creek in heavy weather events, and the head wall was entirely reconstructed. Students in the class are getting practical, on-the-ground experience in natural resource management techniques that can lead to careers as trail crewman, trail foremen, backcountry rangers, forest specialists, and other such fields.

When one considers the longstanding and valuable partnership between Reedley College and YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake, the bridge becomes an apt symbol. Next time you are enjoying the Lake Trail, take a moment to pause on the bridge, admire its shape and form, and consider the frames for perceiving the world around you that it creates.

This past week, Director of Camping, Simon Helyer and I attended the four-day YMCA Western States Camp Conference. This annual event provides an opportunity for YMCA camp administrators to network, grow professionally, and stay current on camping industry best practices. The theme of this year’s conference was Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in YMCA camp programming. 

I had a *bit* of trouble containing myself when I learned that the gathering was to be held at YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island in the Salish Sea just off of the coast of Bellingham, Washington. My graduate program was at Western Washington University in Bellingham, and I was excited to play the role of tour guide having just lived in the area for three years. 

With a flight out of Fresno at 6:00 AM, Simon picked me up at 3:00 AM, which I must say is a very early time to be awake and ready for a new day. However, the opportunity to watch the sun burn away the night just as we crossed into Oregon made the early departure much more bearable. 

Upon arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, we proceeded to my favorite restaurant in Seattle for brunch, Cafe Flora. There we were able to rendezvous with my long-time friend, fellow NPS park ranger, and adventure buddy, Masyih Ford. Masyih has been tackling diversity and inclusion issues in Washington for many years, and is working on effecting change from the inside out by serving as a law enforcement officer in Pierce County, Washington. 

From Seattle we drove 90 minutes North toward Anacortes to await the ferry to Orcas Island. With time to spare we took a quick side-trip to take in the exceptional views at Deception Pass State Park.

Once on the ferry, I insisted on the obligatory “King of the World” photo a la “Titanic”. 

Although it may seem that this post is no more than a collection of lovely scenery shots and fun shenanigans, I must tell you (dear readers) that photos were not taken inside conference sessions. The material for this gathering was often raw and deeply personal. We were challenged to work authentically and openly around issues of race, gender, and social inequality. Photos were never truly appropriate. 

In addition to our work around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we also were given the opportunity to ask for and provide feedback on some of our most challenging camp issues during peer consulting sessions. Each camp representative was able to ask a concise question and receive a myriad of suggestions from some of the wisest minds in the business. We left these sessions energized and camp “families” were given an hour after the session to work on strategies together. 

On the third day, we were given an opportunity for recreation. I (of course) opted for sea kayaking on the Salish Sea on a blue bird day while Simon checked out Camp Orkila’s challenge course. 

My paddle-buddy, Rochelle and I saw a Great Blue Heron, a Bald Eagle, and a very adorable Harbor Seal!

We also got to see the splendor of Mt. Baker!

Once we were back to work, there was an excellent breakout session on bringing sustainable practices to camping programs. As a large-scale user of goods from food to cleaning supplies, we have a responsibility to limit the amount of our materials that enter the waste stream. We discussed strategies for recycling in a remote area with limited services, composting, water use reduction, and alternative energy sources for our camps. 

On our last day, Simon indulged me with a trip to Moran State Park and Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands. At over 3,000 feet, Mt. Constitution provides unparalleled views of the North Cascades, Canadian Cascades, and San Juan Islands. We could see all the way to Mt. Rainer! For the first time in my many years of visiting the spot, we had the place all to ourselves. Although not an outwardly excitable person, I do believe he was glad we went. It was a pretty incredible day up there. 

We awaited the ferry, soaking the last bits of Pacific Northwest sunshine before the monsoon and resulting tornadoes hit the coasts of Washington and Oregon. On the ferry ride back, we found many of our new YMCA friends from the conference. 

It was an enormous privilege to attend this outstanding conference at such a beautiful location. I was so happy to be “home” and feel the damp air and smell the abundant fir trees and coastal pines! I am profoundly inspired by the work of our West Coast (best coast) YMCAs to make YMCA programming truly “For All”.

Simon and I left the conference feeling optimistic and newly energized for the seasons to come. We have clear strategies for making YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake more inclusive and for serving more diverse populations. We are excited about implementing some of the suggestions put forth by our peers and working toward our long-term strategic goals. 

Even as I had to (once again) say goodbye to my PNW home, I was excited to bring a little love from the North to my new love, YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake.