Backpacking in New Hampshire

A letter from Dave, co-leader for the weekend...

The weekend of April 30th, I had the extreme pleasure of assisting on a three day mountain camping trip put together by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s Leadership Program. I had such a good time that I asked Kate if I could write a small blurb about the trip for their website.

We spent the first night at Cardigan lodge (in New Hampshire), putting the gear and meals together, and preparing the kids for the trip. Early the next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we headed up Firescrew Mountain, lunched at the top, crossed over to Cardigan Mountain, and then headed down to the AMC High Cabin just off the peak of Cardigan. We had a fun evening of games and exploring the woods around the cabin, falling asleep to the sound of a rainstorm on the cabin roof. The next day we all packed up, cleaned the cabin, and headed down the mountain to the van.

All in all it was a spectacular trip. The real joy for me, was watching these teens experience such a different situation, some of them for the first time. Every time we came around the corner to a view, or stumbled across a picturesque grotto, I was able to smile to myself sharing the wonder of it with the students. It is also always a pleasure being with someone on their first time conquering a mountain. Watching as they fight through bugs and sore muscles, heavy packs, and shortness of breath, and then to have them turn around at the summit, looking down at the trail and valley below, realizing what they accomplished, is always a treat.

The real surprise to me was the tremendous personal quality of the kids that were along on the trip. The respect that they showed for each other, their staff, and the environment was above and beyond what I am used to. I have worked as a manager in a residential treatment program for at risk kids for many years. I am also married to a high school science teacher who constantly recruits me for trips and events at her school, so I have had a wide range of experience with kids in all kinds of settings. This group is one of the best I have ever been around, and quite frankly, I was blown away by the experience. I can tell you this, Boston is fortunate to be able to count these young adults as citizens of the city.

Dave (co-leader for the hiking trip)