Written by Explore Austin Trip Leader: Lydia Huelskamp

Edited by Explore Austin Development Intern: Sophia Cantor

 

“I’d like to try to get back on the bike today,” Keren told me quietly, but hopeful. She was one of 15 ninth-grade girls who spent the entire school year learning to ride a bike in preparation for their five-day mountain bike trip. On the merely the second day, Keren took a nasty fall while cruising down the Colorado mountain. The stitches in her face and her bruises were still fresh as she told me she was ready to get back on her bike; I couldn’t help but smile.

Keren is a Force of Nature; a force to be reckoned with. Keren is a strong female conquering her fears by exploring the great outdoors.

She does not stand alone. REI’s Force of Nature campaign is encouraging females to get outdoors and go as far as they can; far enough to where the stereotypes and barriers of society can no longer reach them. REI “believes the outdoors is—and should always be—the world’s largest level playing field,” (Force of Nature: Let’s Level the Playing Field).

Being a Force of Nature takes on many definitions, shapes, and sizes. The young ladies of Explore Austin are the next generation of #forceofnature. These forces are the group of eighth-grade girls who carried backpacks bigger than themselves through pouring rain and swarming mosquitoes, conquering hills and blisters, spending 11 hours on the trail one day, but stopped at nothing until they reached their final destination. These forces are the group of eleventh graders who were the first girl’s group to summit snow-covered Mount Baldy and in record time. These forces are Keren, Perla, Jennifer, Maddie, Eloise, Tanya, and more. I consider myself so lucky to know and mentor these incredible Forces of Nature.

Explore Austin did not always have the privilege of inspiring young ladies like Keren. Explore Austin only began accepting girls in 2009, three years after establishment. Today, guiding these young, female explorers is an honor. I could go on and on about their perseverance, grit, and echoing laughter, but, I don’t need to. These young ladies don’t have to prove anything to earn their spot in the outdoors; they’re out getting dirty and having a good time, just like the boys.

Thank you REI for choosing Explore Austin as one of 26 grant recipients among the 560 applications (REI Announces Force of Nature Fund Recipients). Thank you REI for believing in the explorers and giving us the opportunity to lead and guide them to conquer their fears, find their passions and be inspired by the great outdoors.

By: Explore Austin Trip Leader Extraordinaire, Lydia Huelskamp

 

1.“ Almost there” doesn’t really mean almost there

The Explorers will ask you over and over if you’re almost there. Unless the campsite is within the next 20 feet, don’t you dare tell them “yes.”  Even though you may think “almost there” means within 1-5 miles, to them “almost there” actually means “we’re here”.

2. Trip Leader is actually code for chauffeur and pack mule

No really. You’ll spend as much time driving others (or just the gear) around, as you will in the woods. And suddenly, your pack goes from 30 lbs to 50 to “if this comes off I won’t get it back on”.

3. The mailman has nothing on us

They may deliver in snow, rain, heat, and gloom of night, but we’ve got all of that plus bears, water shortage, hail, lightning storms, other crazy campers, sick students, ticks, snakes, and more. We’re out there in the elements loving every minute of it (for the most part).

4. No excuse goes untried

Seriously, the students will try every excuse in the book, plus a few in the second edition. Sometimes, you just have to applaud their creativity. Then you’ll have the kid that breaks his elbow on a downhill ride but still manages to help gather firewood with merely one functional arm. Even those with the excuses find it in themselves to finish strong.

5. Surprises happen every day

After taking an hour to fill their water bottles one day, the students will wake up and pack everything up before you even get outside of your tent. They will get lost and find their way back onto the trail without your help. They’ll finish every single mile even if it takes them hours to do so. They won’t hate you for pushing them past what they thought was their limit. Or they’ll tickle the back of your neck with a piece of grass so you think it’s a bug. It’s great to be surprised!

6. Food is food

Lentils have never tasted so good. Day three of oatmeal for breakfast has you wanting more. After a few weeks out in the wilderness, you’re just excited to have fuel to keep your energy up. Who cares if you just dropped all your trail mix on the ground, the dirt adds a little something- yeah?

7. You’re Spanish isn’t as good as you thought

A lot of the kids in Explore Austin know Spanish and they know it well. However great you think you are at speaking the language, they’ll still laugh at you. But the good news is they find it entertaining and fun to teach you new words and how to say them properly! So, ¡Vamanos!

8. People won’t understand your job

You’ll get asked how your vacation was and how you can afford to go on so many trips. Then when you inform them it wasn’t vacation, it’s your job, they’ll laugh and give ya the ol’ “oh yeah your ‘job’ *wink, wink*”. We are very lucky to have this great opportunity for work, but it still is work. Let the haters hate, though – you don’t have time to try to explain to them how a week in the mountains is work, you’ve got a trip to pack for!

9. Your coworkers are your friends and your friends are your coworkers

I mean if you think about it y’all already have the same interest and passion. Then, throw in spending three weeks in the woods together (guiding a group of course), and you’re destined to be best friends. How do people even make friends outside of guiding?

10. This program will have more of an impact on you than you could ever think

I could write a whole ten page paper on the impact of this program, these kids, and the mentors have had on me. You’ll see their perseverance, their grit, their good times, their low times, their bonding, their support of each other, their growth, their jokes with you (and about you), and so much more. Some will fall in love with the outdoors and adventure and others will simply be proud to have made it through the week. However, all of them will teach you something. It may sound cheesy, but it’s true. Guiding for Explore Austin is a one of a kind experience. It is totally worth the excuses, questions, not ideal weather, and long nights. ACES (Action Oriented, Courage, Excellent Teammate, Strong Communicator) shout out to Explore Austin!

Interested in becoming an Explore Austin Trip Leader? Click HERE to learn more!