LOCALadk Magazine

16 Spring 2017 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Adirondack Treks was founded in 2009 to pro- vide outdoor activities for children and their par- ents in the south-central Adirondack Park, including the towns of Johnsburg, Indian Lake, Long Lake, New- comb, Minerva, Chester, Schroon Lake, Thurman, and Wells. The mission of Adirondack Treks is to empower youth through ad- venture. Building on the human need to explore and seek challenges, Adirondack Treks aims to: • Promote fitness and healthy life choices • Provide adventure through activities such as flat and whitewater paddling, hiking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and caving • Promote skills in teamwork, individual responsibility, and leadership • Teach knowledge of Adirondack natural ecology • Create an awareness of the jobs and requisite skills in the outdoor industry. • Foster a commitment to sustainable life on earth Meet the author of our Spring 2017 issue's Up and Comer, 14-year-old Willow Hogan from Johnsburg. Willow has successfully explored and sought wilderness challenges and, as a result, has overcome much of her own timidity. Willow writes: The feeling that I get when I find that perfect handhold and pull my- self up on the rock - it's the best feeling in the world! Rock climb- ing is now one of my favorite sports, but it wasn't always. Before I joined Adirondack Treks, an outdoor club operated by volunteers in North Creek, I had never been rock climbing. And now - look!! I am a 14-year-old with an outdoor level 5.10 climb under my belt - and my friend and I are learning to lead climb! Over the past six years, through Adirondack Treks, I have been able to do many amazing things, such as white water rafting, cross-country skiing, nature hikes, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, and geocaching. Having all these opportunities has driven my love for the outdoors, which I think is really important for youth my age. In the world we live in today, the beautiful outdoors are quickly disappearing. I believe that getting kids of all ages out into the world and experiencing some of these amazing beauties first hand, led by knowledgeable guides, helps them to see the why we need to preserve what little pieces of heaven we have left. The f i r s t time I did an out- door climb, it was on the other side of Crane Moun- tain. I have lived on this mountain for nine years, but I had no idea that rock wall was there. It's those kinds of experienc- es that make you stop and ask; "Wow what else am I not seeing?" As a younger child, one of my favorite things to do was go down to the creek in our backyard and ex- plore, and discover new things under every rock. When I was around eight, I had explored every inch of the woods near my house, and in my little brain I had seen the whole world and there was nothing left to explore. As I grew older, with the help of Adirondack Treks, I discovered not only my love for outdoor activities, but also found an interest in emergency first aid and surviv- al skills. With these new skills and abilities, I had more confidence to pursue slightly more dangerous activities like outdoor rock climbing and whitewater kayaking. With the confidence I gained from the Ad- irondack Treks courses and classes, I broadened my "backyard" to the whole Adirondack Park - a place I call home. All my life I have had an uncomfortable feeling. When I was little, I de- scribed it as a monster. Now that I am older, I know what it really is: anxiety. Being scared all the time stopped me from going out and try- ing new things. Up and Comer By Willow Hogan

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