The doorbell kept ringing and the room kept filling. We’d all read the little notice in the Sierra Club’s newsletter, “Let’s start our own chapter of Inner City Outings!.” It was 25 years ago now—an evening that changed our lives. We’ve met some of our best friends and witnessed the formation of one of the greatest organizations ever.
Who are we? The kids on our outings knew us as Mr. & Mrs. Bugman (we worked with elementary schools). On hikes, they’d flip rocks, pry under bark, and roll logs while others hovered with nets, disposable gloves, and bug suckers. “Catch that beetle! Don’t let that spider get away!” Kids found wildlife everywhere all around them and they learned to respect, rather than fear the little crawly things that make Mother Nature.
The kids were pure joy, but it was the ICO family of adults—people who became close friends—that kept us involved for a decade. Everyone was welcome and was encouraged to incorporate their passions and talents into their trips and the organization.
An REI employee organized annual holiday giving trees that gave us our original gear. A naturalist and wilderness volunteer docent trainer (and former environmental camp director from Michigan) created the first leader training program. An incredible teacher demonstrated how to work with kids and use 20 questions to help us discover what wasn’t being said. A professional bookkeeper managed the finances. Sailors and kayakers ensured safe trips on the water. The National Sierra Club provided insight on best practices among ICO Chapters and ensured access to affordable trip insurance.
Those who knew how to raise money showed everyone within ICO how to help attract funding. It was that spirit of coming together to help everyone enjoy the outdoors that gave Seattle ICO its roots here in Seattle.
ICO can’t function without cash and can’t expand without growing its funds in a sustainable and efficient manner. ICO needs a big tent of supporters—individuals, companies, and foundations. Some contribute $10 and $25 to secure the ICO tent to the ground. Others invest in the tent frame with their $100 and $1,000 contributions.
We’re excited that Seattle ICO is part of the Seattle Foundation’s GiveBig one-day online charitable giving event on May 3. It’s a chance for the larger community to “crowd-fund” Seattle ICO trips and further strengthen the ICO tent. We’ll be part of this crowd-fund effort.
Although we live outside the Seattle area, we keep in touch with many former leaders and look forward to hearing about their latest adventures. We’ve had several youth track us down (like bugs), so they could share their life stories and say thanks.
We’d like to use Seattle ICO’s 25th birthday as a challenge to invite past ICO leaders, youth, and others who are part of the ICO family to join Mr. & Mrs. Bugman in honoring the occasion with a commitment to make an annual contribution to Seattle ICO.
We’d then like to challenge individuals who live in the Seattle area who haven’t “yet” found their way to the best ICO chapter in the country to consider joining the ICO family of leaders, volunteers, and supporters.
Happy Birthday Seattle ICO!
Mr. & Mrs. Bugman
(David Maxfield & Kathy Becker)