Growing out of a partnership with the Washoe County School District (WCSD) and California State Parks, ICO led our first trip on January 28, 2023! Thirteen students and five teachers, along with four ICO volunteers and a California State Parks Ranger hiked through the snow from the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to the shore of Donner Lake. None of the students in the predominantly hispanic youth group had ever snowshoed before. John Arsenault is the advisor to the Proctor Hug High School Adventure Club and organized the trip. John's work included several meetings with the club members, getting a list of their clothing and equipment needs and driving to the ICO Equipment storage to pick out everything from socks and base layers, to parkas and hats, to snowshoes and boots. Oh, and he also arranged for a school bus and driver, which was paid for by ICO.
When the kids and teachers arrived on a brisk Saturday morning, they were provided snacks and fruit, changed into their gear and we went out to the Donner monument to fit the snowshoes, size the poles, and get some snowshoeing instruction. Here is a video where the students learned and practiced turning around in snowshoes. And we were off!!! We headed into the woods through powdery snow following Jeremy Lin, our State Park Interpreter, crossing streams, navigating challenging terrain and even hearing stories of the Donner Party. After an hour, we stopped at the shore of Donner Lake for a rest, a snack and a couple of games, and then walked back to the visitor's center, where ICO Volunteer Suzy Bank-Schamberg had brought in pizza!
But the fun wasn't over yet, a group of the students went back out to a meadow and made their own snow cones with real snow! To view a one minute video that captures the whole day go to @Reno_ICO on Instagram. Please follow us!!!
After a closing circle, the students and teachers packed up and got on to the bus and we reflected on the highlights of the day!
A couple of Hug High School seniors, who are going to UNR in the fall, expressed interest in starting an adventure club at the University. One of them is interested in going into environmental science and had the opportunity to talk with Jeremy about his career with California State Parks. Both are invited to join Reno ICO's upcoming retreat and outdoor leadership training.
All of the students said they wanted to go snowshoeing again, and a trip in March is being organized to a different location.
One student had a medical issue on the hike back from the lake. It was well handled by the team which involved high school and state park staff along with ICO volunteers. The student was able to walk back to the visitor's center. So even this was a great experience for all of us.
Reno ICO is on the move! We are grateful for the generous seed funding we received from the Toiyabe Chapter, the Sierra Club, and many donors that make this all possible. Current donations are going directly to fund more trips for youth from Northern Nevada. Donating is easy and tax deductible - Click here to donate.
If you are interested in becoming an ICO volunteer, take a look at the Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors website to learn more, look into the volunteer requirements, or email our volunteer coordinator, Tracey Pomeroy at Pomerot@gmail.com to schedule a conversation and sign up.