Spring Break – Wilderness Works Style!
Eight intrepid Wilderness Works campers headed west to spend an unforgettable week in Nevada and Utah for a markedly different Spring Break experience.The expedition started in Nevada, with many of our campers journeying west of the Mississippi for the first time (many on their first plane flight).
Campers visited Valley of Fire State Park with its windswept sandstone, joshua trees and big horn sheep.
Next would be a northeasterly trek to the doorstep of Zion National Park where education, excitement and wonder would be found. Park Ranger Ashley talked about Navajo Sandstone, hydrology and the millions of years involved in carving out the canyon that is Zion.
Campers established a “base camp” at the Watchmen campsite. Pitching tents and sleeping in them was a new experience to some, but the benefits far outweighed the challenges.
Day excursions into Zion National followed, taking our campers to breathtaking views and memorable hikes. Braving the switchbacks on the way up to Scout Lookout, campers were rewarded with the incredible vista of the Big Bend portion of Zion National Park.
Special thanks to Ranger Charlie for bringing a powerful telescope to our campsite to make use of the stargazing benefit of Zion National’s efforts to eliminate light pollution and earning an international designation as a Dark Sky Park. (Learn more about light pollution). He also educated our campers about the California condors and we were on the lookout for them in the next few days.
This trip would not have been possible without the support of Field Camp Youth Expeditions. We are also extremely grateful to our long-haul van driver, Tad Porter for his care and dedication to shuttling our campers from place to place.
