Steve Green

Sierra Club Houston's Inner City Outings group coordinated the National ICO Regional Outing to Big Bend National Park October 26-30th.  Youth from Denver and Austin participated with Houston inner city youth.  Steve Green, leader of the Rio Grande paddling portion of the trip, and Sierra ICO volunteer Stephanie Bone reported a successful adventure with the youngsters.

The kids had a wonderful three days mastering the art of traveling in "expedition loaded" canoes through swift water wilderness canyons.  River levels were up due to two weeks of rain.  On the first day, we had four boats flip in the current, none on subsequent days.  They learned.  In Boquillas Canyon, the kids set up camp above the river at the base of massive rock walls on the banks of Mexico.

The highlight of the river trip was probably when we scouted the run down Lost Indian Rapids!  In preparation, the kids and leaders applied war paint (mud) to faces and all posed for group photos while giving loudly the Indian yell to ask the souls of the lost Indian to guide us through the treacherous waters!  The current was swift and the boats bounced wildly as they splashed through the waves.  Every face was lit with big smiles and wide eyes.

At the river take-out, it was easy to see the kids had a good time and fulfilling adventure as they played with excitement and honored a moment of silence to reflect upon the river and wild lands.  But it was not until later when it was heard from the kids bantering animatedly amongst themselves that we realized this trip had become a special event these kids would remember the remainder of their lives.  It was an accomplishment that ferried pride into their hearts.  I can't say there were any breakthroughs of insight, perhaps some bricks were laid.  There were new roads taken, and who knows the extent of what may have been awakened in those bright young spirits.

February 2001

Last updated:  11/10/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.