Wednesday, October 10, 2007

"Can I Do This Every Weekend"

Indiana Dunes National Park Preserve, Indiana

The words above were spoken to me by a twelve year old African-American boy during this past weekend's third annual 'Building Bridges to the Outdoors' event held in partnership with the Chicago Boys and Girls Clubs http://www.bgcc.org/ at Indiana Dunes National Park Preserve. Through this three year partnership over two hundred Chicago Boys and Girls Club particpants have had an opportunity to drive only forty-five miles from the Windy City and have a chance to see the stars for the first time, participate in water quality testing and jump around the Dunes and swim in Lake Michigan. For most of these children it is their first time they have had this opportunity to connect with nature and there is truly nothing like the smile you see when a child is outdoors having fun. The great thing about the Sierra Club's partnership withy the Chicago Boys and Girls Club is that fifteen Chapters are implementing Eco Clubs which will give particpants weekly outdoor adventures rather then just a once a year experience. A consortium of Chicago groups including the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club http://illinois.sierraclub.org/ are working together to connect Chicago children with the outdoors in a broad based effort http://www.kidsoutside.info/

Other great news involving Building Bridges to the Outdoors is the excellent work Michael Casuas is doing in the Land of Enchantment -New Mexico. A recent article in the Albq. Journal showcases the diverse groups we have helped support who are connecting children with the outdoors. http://epaper.abqjournal.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=SkQvMjAwNy8wOS8yNyNBcjAyNTAw&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

In California, Amit Rana, our BBTO Rep and Juan Martinez our Youth Volunteer Coordinator published a great article in the Southern Sierran about our Youth Leadership Trainings http://www.angeles.sierraclub.org/hvtf/SoSn/2007_09%20GlobalTrade/tour/index.htm

It was great to end a week of meetings in Washington DC and Chicago watching children experince the joys of nature on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Onward and Upward!