Last week, the Sierra Club Military Outdoors team facilitated a 101/201 Outings Leader Training at Veterans Base Camp Training Center in Chaplin, Connecticut. Approximately 41 new Outings Leaders, mostly veterans, were certified to lead outings in their respective regions by the end of this program. This training was set up by Aaron Leonard, a Student Veterans Coordinator based out of New York. The completion of this training has provided yet another springboard for the Military Outdoors Team, which includes Coordinators Lornett Vestal based out of Atlanta and Mabari Byrd based out of Philadelphia, to continue building up this amazing program that connects veterans to the outdoors. Lead trainer Sascha Paris provided a robust and fun curriculum which included trip planning, group development, managing toxic behavior, mindful yoga, and getting participants out hiking for two days in Goodwin State Forest for some on-the-trail leadership training.
Inspiring Connections Outdoors Coordinator Mabari Byrd guided nineteen young campers in an adventurous hike on the Forbidden Drive trail that runs just outside of Philadelphia. Campers appreciated views of native butterflies, chipmunks, caterpillars, and flowers, while also learning about invasive vegetation harming the ecosystem. For a majority in attendance, this presented a first-time outdoors experience-- and a beautiful one at that.
Mabari Byrd is the Delaware Watershed Community Coordinator for Sierra Club Outdoors. A Philadelphia native with a love for youth and the environment, Mabari has experience working in public schools, non-profits, and municipal agencies. If you would like to get involved with Military Outdoors or Inspiring Connections Outdoors, please email Mabari.