By: Todd Linke, ABF Member & Volunteer
I had the opportunity and privilege to participate in FamCamp, held at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground. It’s a grant funded program from California State Parks, which makes it possible for first time campers to enjoy the outdoor experience. We provide them all of the equipment and food, and we can even help with transportation if needed. The experience was not only fun and beautiful, as our desert always is, but it was an opportunity to connect people to the desert experience.
We hosted about 40 students and faculty chaperones from Orange Glen High School in Escondido. Most of the students had yet to go camping or hiking, let alone to the desert. Going into the weekend, I couldn’t help but have a healthy dose of nervous excitement. Of course, I was excited to introduce this group to Anza-Borrego and help them fall in love with the desert experience. But speaking honestly, I was also nervous about helping to guide such a large group lacking outdoor experience.
Any trepidation I had quickly disappeared when I saw the students and chaperones get off the bus and look around with wide-eyed excitement at the beauty around them. Our excellent FamCamp leader, Annie, quickly kicked into action and started organizing the group, helping them set up their tents and get situated for the weekend. The students were not only willing but eager to get involved. They worked together in teams, taking the job seriously but clearly laughing and having fun along the way. Annie, the other volunteer, Jen, and I helped to prepare dinner, and then the chaperones jumped into action, getting the group fed. Even the rare windy and off-and-on rainy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of this group. Their enthusiasm was genuinely invigorating and made me look forward to the next day’s activities.
After a big breakfast on Saturday, we headed out on the Palm Canyon Trail. Wow, I was impressed! The students moved and moved fast and seemed genuinely interested in being in the desert. Once we got to the water, the students were instantly drawn to the streamside. They seemed to appreciate the peacefulness of the environment. Then things really got exciting! Students found a couple of deep pools upstream, and it wasn’t long before several boys jumped in. I just watched, taking so much satisfaction from their youthfulness and joyful spirits.
After the hike, we were all pretty tired from being out on the trail for several hours, plus it started to rain, so we relaxed at camp. After dinner, a beautiful sunset and some stars were showing through breaks in the clouds. Some of the students wanted to go on a hike, so we got to Panoramic Point by flashlight. The students and leaders stayed at the top for at least an hour and seemed to marvel at the beauty and tranquility of the desert at night. After we got everyone back to camp safely, Annie gathered them around the campfire for some stargazing, Native American folklore and s’mores. Giving them so many “firsts” on this trip felt really good.
After another good night’s rest, the group enjoyed breakfast and another pleasant hike on the Yaqui Well path. I drove away from our final hike, tired but incredibly gratified for the entire experience. The students genuinely enjoyed themselves, connected to the desert, and strengthened their bonds of friendship. Best of all, they took a risk to go to a place unknown to them in less-than-ideal weather, yet they made the absolute best of it. This shows the powerful magic the desert can cast on its visitors. This experience also opened my eyes to the importance of introducing our youth to Mother Nature. Everyone deserves their time in nature. I hope this FamCamp experience will have a life-lasting effect on all participants.
If you’re interested in volunteering for FamCamp, please email Stacy at [email protected].
