Today it rained, so the newts were out in force, peeking out from holes along the sides of trails, crawling along in the damp, and peering out from under glistening tree roots. We hiked up one of the creeks, along with one of the other groups. That means roughly 40 fifth graders, two teenaged cabin leaders, and two field staff scrambling over slippery rocks, sloshing through rushing water, slipping in the spongy duff, and having the time of their lives doing it. Injury and water saturated pants and shoes don't make people enjoy this any less. One kid kept getting me to take his picture so he'd have all sorts of photos to show his mom when he got home.

It's always a bit of a trade off whenever you take that many kids into a riparian corridor. there is always an impact. We contribute a bit to erosion just by walking along the creek. Sometimes kids drop things - I know because I always find items left by other groups. And who knows how many animals are disturbed or even stepped on by careless feet? This is the price we must pay when we take kids into the wilderness. The hope is that what we do today, even though it has a short term impact on some trails and creek beds, will inspire these kids to make good choices in the long term.

Embrace the wilderness. Keep it wild.

Currently listening to Popol Vuh "In the Gardens of Pharao/Aguirre" and being calmed and carried away beyond the fields we know.