SierraScape October - November 2003
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by Tim Pekarek

Liz Connoly and Bridget practice a stroke in a kayak in the cool water of Paddy Creek on a hot summer day.

Inner City Outings has had a busy season. Some of our destinations and activities have been rafting on the Meramec River ( to join in the twenty-fifth anniversary of the river's survival of a damming threat) and biking in the backcountry in Kaintuck Hollow, near Rolla, MO. We introduced a group of youth to kayaks, and gave them lessons on their use on Paddy Creek, in Mark Twain National Forest. On one springtime trip we camped and hiked at St. Francois State Park with the after-school youth group from St. Teresa's church in north St. Louis. Stella, who is the grandmother of some of St. Teresa's youth, joined us on this outing as she often does. I am always pleased when this happens as it is inspiring to see how devoted Stella is to her grandkids. I also know that I won't have to beg too much to get help with the camp chores!

Two of our leaders, Liz Connolly and Bryan Himmelsbach, were able to attend the national I.C.O. workshop and training at Alta, Utah in July - more on that in a future article.