NYC ICO Trip Report
Date: January 30, 2016
Destination: Bear Mountain Park & Ice Skating Rink
Agency: PS 127
On a clear, chilly Saturday morning, the volunteers and students gathered in front of the doors at PS 127 to start greeting and introducing each other. In attendance were 20 young minds from PS 127 and their amazing gym teacher, Coach D, four Cat Rock youth leaders, and 6 ICO volunteers. By 9:00, we were all champing at the bit to board the bus and be on our way – due to some logistical mix-ups, it wasn’t until 1 and a half hours later that we finally departed. Thanks to Coach D’s ingenuity (and his key to the school’s gym room), we had no problems entertaining ourselves in the meantime. There were impromptu volleyball matches between the students and Cat Rock leaders, an informal performance by the members of the school’s cheer squad, and plenty of basketball practice. By the time the bus arrived, however, we were all happy finally to set out.
On the schedule was a day of activities at Bear Mountain, including ice skating, a hike up Bear Mountain, a visit to the native animal zoo, and sledding. Due to weather conditions and time constraints, the latter two activities on the agenda had to be nixed - much to some students’ dismay – but smiles and laughs under a blue sky out on the ice rink quickly cleared up any disappointment. At 2:00, we rounded ourselves up and over to the Bear Mountain Center’s cafeteria for some nourishment before embarking on our hike. Thanks to the generous support from the Sophie Gersen Healthy Youth program, all the students were able to enjoy a hot lunch followed by a round of ice cream.
Having warmed ourselves up with a hot lunch, we were ready to hit the trail. The students got to experience hiking on a section of the Appalachian Trail, one of the nation’s most renowned thru-hikes. The students were given a short overview of the Appalachian Trail by Phil, who co-led the trip with Jason, and the Cat Rock youth leaders briefed them on first-aid, safe hiking, and the philosophy of “leave no trace.” After less than an hour’s hike, we reached the first outlook over the Hudson River; And although we had to turn back earlier than we had hoped, the students’ sense of accomplishment and awe was well worth the time and effort put in.
Boarding the bus at 4:30, we were on our way back to the school. Shout-outs were called out to several students who showed an admirable degree of determination, grit and integrity on the trail, and all were commended for leaving the trail cleaner than they had found it. A successful trip by any standard!