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Wartburg College Service Trip 2009

Every now and then an opportunity presents itself that makes you wonder - should I do this or not.  Such was the case in December when I was contacted by a student at Wartburg College who asked if I would be interested in volunteering as an adult advisor to a student-led Service Trip.  Since I am not directly affiliated with the college and wasn't familiar with service trips, I wasn't certain what was expected of me or what I could expect from the students.  After much thought and consideration, I agreed to participate, assuming I was able to take time away from my job.  Well, here it is, already several days after our group returned from their service trip and I am still thinking about the trip, the students, our impact, the scenery, and the future.

Our service trip consisted of several environmental projects based in the Mendocino, California area.  Twelve students and I left Iowa for Minneapolis, Minnesota on a Friday afternoon.  Once in Minneapolis, we spent the night at the home of the parents of one of our trip members (Thank you so much!).  Markus' family have shared their home with many people over the years and the brief stay went well and allowed us to leave for California rested and fed.  From Minneapolis, we enjoyed a direct flight to San Francisco, California where we had reserved two rental vans for the nearly four-hour drive to our cabins in the redwood forest.  The drive to the Mendocino Woodlands was broken by a short stop in Ukiah for dinner.  Following our dinner break, we then proceeded up and down, over and around the twisty roads.  Unfortunately, that section of travels didn't agree with a couple of young ladies in our group.

Finally, we arrived at the Mendocino Woodlands late in the evening where we met Steph who is the director of the Mendocino Woodlands facility.  Steph provided details of the camp, the lay-out of the cabins, and our schedule for the next few days.  It didn't take long before we all retired for the evening in anticipation of several days of work dedicated to improving the California environment in our own small way.

 Sunday was our first full day of service work and all were anxious to get started.  Nobody works efficiently with an empty stomach, so we began the day with a good breakfast.  With very little formal discussion or planning, a group effort resulted in a filling breakfast  for all and a quick clean-up of the dining hall before our first day of service work began.

Steph and her staff members had a plan for us to help prepare the camp for the upcoming environmental education activities and vacation season.  With many cabins to prep and a small staff, I'm sure any help received helps assure the camp is ready for the next season.  For those familiar with the camp, our efforts were focused on the cabins located in Camp One.  The picture to the left shows one of the larger cabins in Camp One.  During the regular season, the cooks stay in this building.

Cabin preparation wasn't necessarily a difficult project, it was more of a necessary time consuming effort.  We sorted through mattresses, replacing the roughest looking mattress in each cabin, and swept the walls, ceilings, floors, and decks to create a "Welcome Home" atmosphere for the first guests of the season.  We also removed all of the short pieces of string and rope draped around the cabins to serve as clothes lines or hanging areas.

One group of students dedicated their efforts to assuring the dance hall was ready for the many camps and gatherings held there each year.  According to Steph, musical and dance groups from around the country use the dance hall each year.  In fact, one group practices/performs 24-hours per day while they are at the camp.  I peeked into the dance hall one time and was very impressed with the building.  The flooring looked great and the views from anywhere around the dance hall were simply stunning.  I don't suppose that should come as a surprise to anyone.  The redwood forest is beautiful, even though the section we were in was not old-growth.  Since we were visiting during the rainy season, the ferns were thriving and their colors were exceptional.

Late in the afternoon, after our work was completed, Steph gave us a tour of the Mendocino Woodlands complex, including the other camps.  The winter rains continued to fall and the temperatures really never climbed too high - usually in the mid-40s to 50s or so.  Needless to say, we were often chilled but still enjoyed exploring the camp.

Camp Three is a very primitive camp consisting of canvas tents on platforms.  None of the canvas tents had been erected for the season, but it was easy to visualize how the camp looks during the warm-weather months.

Camp Two is located on the far end of the Mendocino Woodlands and was designed for families and younger guests.  The ground is generally more flat and the cabins were laid out in a manner that allows camp counselors to maintain watch over their students with ease.  A small stream flows near Camp Two and served as a magnet for the members of our group.  After the excitement of climbing on the redwoods had passed, we all trekked along the stream in search of whatever was around the next corner.  Low light levels and mist helped to create an almost surreal atmosphere along the stream.  For others who might visit Camp Two, please keep your eyes open for a disposable film camera and a set of glasses with orange frames.  We lost both while exploring the camp and even with 13 sets of eyes we were not able to find either item.

While exploring Camp Two, we found an interesting rough-skinned newt.  I didn't realize it's skin had a toxic characteristic, but apparently it does.  Although several of us handled the small critter, no ill affects were suffered as a result of the experience.

Steph explained how the Mendocino Woodlands are unique since they are the last Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp functioning as designed many decades ago.  Such a recognition is quite remarkable when you consider how many other CCC camps have come and gone over the years.

Day Two (Monday) was an interesting day for our Service Trip participants.  I woke early in the morning to a knock on the door.  One of our members was suffering from an illness that has previously resulted in her hospitalization.  While she and I were at the hospital in Fort Bragg, the others in the group spent the day with Matt from the Mendocino Woodlands Trust working to remove an English ivy infestation.  A portion of my day was spent around camp after our group member was released from the hospital and recuperated in her cabin.  As she napped, I explored the trails near our camp.  Although a light rain fell all day, I still dedicated effort to outdoor photography.  I struggled with whether I should focus my efforts on ferns, fungi, scenic images, or photos of frogs.  I ended up shooting a variety of images, including the lush ferns and banana slugs.  I had never seen a banana slug before and for a while thought I had found something special.  Later in the day I learned that banana slugs were quite common and certainly nothing special.  Since the slugs were new to me, they were also special and something I found fascinating.  The day ended like all others, a group meal in the dining hall and a reflection time when the highs and lows for the day were shared and discussed.  

Tuesday (Day Three) began without the excitement of a trip to the hospital and with the anticipation that all in the group would be able to participate in the service project portion of the trip.  Matt was again the leader of the group and had an interesting project of invasive grass removal planned for a small area near a beach outside of Mendocino.  The task may sound simple, but it was very labor intensive.  Instead of simply pulling on the plant, we shoveled near the roots to loosen the sandy soil, pulled the plants out to expose roots, and piled the dislocated plants in a couple of areas.  Our group worked aggressively to the point that Matt was able to ask that another exotic species removal effort begin nearby too.  Perhaps the most memorable aspects of the efforts were the work breaks.   A mid-morning break was spent 50-yards away watching the waves from the Pacific Ocean splash onto the sand near gulls and other sea bird species.  Our lunch break was spent a bit further away, at the Mendocino Headlands where the scenery was outstanding, the gulls were very cooperative, and the naps were quite welcome.  A few possible whale spouts were noticed, but no whale activity occurred close enough for a certain confirmation of what we were seeing.  Following a very productive day of invasive species removal - we nearly completely removed the invasive plants - we enjoyed a little time exploring the shops of Mendocino.  Unfortunately, the chocolate shop was closed, which was a major disappointment for several young ladies in our entourage.

 

 

Day Four (Wednesday) was a day without much physical labor, other than hiking and climbing,  but a day filled with educational learning, fun exploring, and fascinating observations.  After another good breakfast, we ventured out to a lighthouse area to watch for whales.  This picture shows a couple of fish, but I'm not sure of the species or if they are even whales.

 

 

Our next activity was to meet Zelda and Therese at a tide pool area where we were hosted to a guided tour and  explanation and identification of many tide pool species.  The exploration was very interesting, especially for those of us who seldom, if ever, have explored tide pools before.  We were a bit surprised, even disappointed by a few members of a high school group that had the luxury of taking a field trip to explore tide pools.  Perhaps our expectations were too high for teenagers, or maybe it was the fact that they live closer to or visit the ocean much more often, but regardless we were disappointed by the apparent lack of appreciation of the fragile environment some exhibited.  I have the utmost respect for the instructor for the high school group.  In fact, I wish my high school experience had included an instructor with the commitment and willingness to share knowledge in the same manner that I observed from the high school teacher.  One other comment regarding the instructor...he had more patience than I could have imagined.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of the wildlife species observed at the tide pools include:

 

Since I enjoy bird watching, I also photographed a few avian creatures:

    

The afternoon was spent driving through an area near old-growth redwood forest.  Although we found the general area of the old-growth trees, we never quite found the specific protected area of old-growth forest.  We returned to Fort Bragg for dinner a bit disappointed in not seeing the old-growth and not really expecting to see them before returning to Iowa.  Were we in for a surprise!

Thursday (Day 5) of our service trip was probably one of our most productive days and also one of our most labor-intensive days.  We again worked with Matt and Robert on a "Sprigging" project.  Sprigging is defined as clipping willow sprigs from nearby willow trees, carrying the 3-4 foot sprigs to an eroded area, and planting two-thirds of the sprig in vulnerable soil.  Apparently willow sprigs quickly establish roots that then work to minimize erosion in the estuary area of the Big River where it meets the Pacific Ocean.  

Within a couple of years or two the area we worked should be nearly overgrown with erosion-minimizing willows.  For now, the area looks like an ordinary area suffering from a serious beaver problem.   

 

 

 

As happened on other days, we worked efficiently and our progress was quicker than anticipated.  Matt and a portion of our group were also able to tackle another exotic plant species removal project while the rest of us continued sprigging along the estuary.

While removing undesirable plant species in preparation for willow sprigs, several wildlife species were observed.  First we saw may bird species including gulls, ravens, and a handful of warblers.  We also observed several tree frogs and one alligator lizard with a feisty attitude.  I learned that I am likely too willing to handle creatures, especially reptiles and amphibians, before I have a clear understanding of their temperament.  This lizard quickly demonstrated that it did not want to be handled and nearly clamped on to my hand.  I quickly recorded a few images and we released the ornery animal in area that is hopefully far enough away from vehicle traffic to assure survival.  I didn't post the image here, but I have one photo illustrating the length of this animal.  I wear a size nine boot and the alligator lizard was nearly as long as my foot.  I'm certain this critter has consumed its share of insects over the years.

After accomplishing the goals Matt had set for the day, and a little more in the invasive plant removal category, we called it a day.  Since we were three minutes from Mendocino and several in our group were craving chocolate, we ventured into town again to visit the other shops we hadn't already seen.  It didn't take too long before everyone gathered at the vehicles and drove to "Seal Point" at a park nearby to watch for seals.  As if they were trained, plenty of seals were basking on the warmth of the rugged rocks and we watched them for quite some time as the sun was setting.  Following the seal show, we made the wandering drive back into the woods, off the beaten path, returning to the Mendocino Woodlands and our home away from home.  Again we ended the day with a warm meal and reflections.

Day Six (Friday) was a bittersweet day.  We knew we had a full day of service work ahead of us, yet we also recognized the day was our final full day in California.  Compounding the difficulty of the day was a recurrence of the illness that struck on Monday.  What that meant was eleven members of the group hiked with Matt a couple of miles up a steep hill carrying shovels and other trail maintenance tools while two of us visited the hospital again to try to minimize the intestinal flare-up.  From the comments heard at the end of the day, the hike up the hill and erosion control work must have been quite challenging.  People were tired, no - exhausted, and covered with mud.  Meanwhile, while my young woman was being treated at the hospital I took time to clean up our van in preparation for its return to the rental agency.  Unlike the first trip to the hospital when I had no idea how long to expect the visit to last, this time a nurse suggested I would have a couple of hours of free time before our patient would be discharged.  Since the previous evening's seal show occurred in low light and resulted in less than ideal images, I made a quick run back out to Seal Point only seven minutes or so away to see if the seals would be willing to pose in better light.  Not only was the light much better, but the number of seals present had at least tripled.  Within twenty minutes I had captured plenty of well-lit images to make my trip documentation efforts complete and I returned to the hospital and our nearly recovered patient.

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes after arriving at the hospital we heard the words we were waiting to hear.  It was time to leave the hospital and head for the trees again!  At nearly the same time we received a telephone call from the trail-maintenance group advising us that their mission was complete and that Matt wanted all of us to travel again to the old-growth forest to experience the wonder of such a place.  Knowing we had several cabins, a dining hall, and two vans to clean before going to sleep meant we were in for a busy afternoon and evening, but all of us were willing to make the sacrifice and piled into the vans for the drive to the old-growth forest.  Words can't express the beauty, the wonder, the smells and aura present in the forest.  First, you feel so small and insignificant.  Second, it's impossible to view with human eyes, not even through a wide-angle camera lens, the far-reaching beauty of the trees.  And the fine details - the ferns, moss, blooming trilliums and the shadows, the stream, the quiet - they all combine to create a nearly perfect setting.  I've attempted to record digitally a few glimpses of the wonder of the old-growth forest.  I'm sharing them here with the understanding that much is missing in the electronic display of what is certainly worthy of an "in person" experience. 

As I wandered around in the small remains of an old-growth forest, in a section that had never felt the affects of a saw or been reduced to nothing more than board-feet of timber, I couldn't help but wonder what the trees had been through over their hundreds of years of existence.  What kinds of birds had nested in their canopy, how may people had done just as we were doing - stared in awe at the amazing natural creation.  How many wind storms had threatened the area, or lighting strikes?  I asked many questions of which there were no answers.  Special places like a forest of old-growth redwoods are necessary not only for their visual value, but also for the thought-provoking cleansing they offer.  For the brief amount of time we enjoyed the beauty of the forest my mind was free of the daily stressors, the typical work and life's task thoughts, the electronic noise of a cell phone - my thoughts were only of the present as I wandered in awe in an old-growth forest.

At the entrance to the forest preserve, near the parking lot, there is a small stream flowing through the forest.  On both sides of the stream the trees and rocks were moss covered and ferns were plentiful.  The sounds of running water broke the silence of the forest, but in a positive sense.  Interestingly, I didn't see any bird life, no reptiles or amphibians -  or any animal or human life other than those of us wandering the trails.  I'm curious where the other life in the forest may have been.  Was our presence having a negative impact on the natural inhabitants?  Had we interrupted their routine or is the environment of old-growth redwoods that much different from typical timbers that wildlife isn't observed in abundance.   I have research to do to answer those questions.

As much as we enjoyed the wonders of the old-growth forest, time was quickly ticking away for us and for our visit to California.  We still had dinner to cook and a camp to clean which meant we had to leave one final time.  That time though, we knew we were leaving for good.  We wouldn't be coming back - ever - in the same sense.  Some of us may return some day, but not with our group and not in the same spirit.  Again, the mood was bittersweet.  Reality quickly replaced awe and we made our way back to camp where brooms swished back and forth, bags were packed, vehicles were cleaned, dinner was cooked, alarms were set, and people were tired and ready for the 3-4am wake up calls for the return flight to Iowa. 

We've been back in Iowa now for nearly a week.  I'm amazed how quickly the time has passed.  Within minutes of returning home life began to return to normal.  Cell phones came to life, a long list of unanswered email messages was waiting, calls to make, communications to follow up on...the list goes on and on.  Yet, in my memory I can think back on the wonders of our service trip.  I'm so proud of the efforts put forth by our small group of young people who individually probably would not have had the desire to commit to so many different projects in so little time, yet collectively achieved much more than anyone expected.  As I look at digital images of natural wonders, I "see" more than those who haven't visited these sites.  My mind adds the smells, the sounds, the texture of the rugged rocks or the soft, moist soil of the redwood forest.  In my mind, even the sticky slime of the banana slug becomes much more clear now that I've had the good fortune of experiencing it first hand.

Some might question the value of service trips for small groups from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.  Why do the students need to spend the money to travel around the country to do volunteer work when there is so much work that needs to be done locally.  That is a valid question to ask, especially when the work done by our small group was really insignificant when considered in a very broad sense.  When the value of service trips are considered beyond face value - beyond x number of people working for x number of hours at a value of x dollars - when we move beyond the measurable factors of the trip and begin to consider the other immeasurable values of service trips, the returns cannot be quantified.  How can a value be placed on the life experiences these young people enjoyed, many for the first time - some for the only time?  We cannot duplicate in a classroom the various settings the service trips visited and worked - whether the students were assigned to a soup kitchen, a poverty-stricken area, or an old-growth forest - we cannot duplicate such locales.  Is it possible to educate people - young or older - from a text book and research material to the same level as a first hand, boots on the ground experience?  I don't think so.  People can be told of the challenges faced in a children's hospital or how a single willow sprig can begin to hold back the forces of an ocean, but how much more real is the actual experience?  Finally, how can a value be placed on the camaraderie we experienced as each service trip group lived through the daily challenges of working together in a strange environment, of struggling through unexpected illness, of cold rainy weather, or even the simple task of sharing meal preparation responsibilities together.  We cannot duplicate such scenarios close to home, where conveniences and assistance are readily available.  These are life skills that are best learned through doing.

I do not disagree that service trips are costly and hard to plan.  However, having now experienced a service trip, I'm not able to tout strongly enough the value of the effort.  Each service trip destination realized benefits from our Wartburg students, but the students probably realized benefits far greater than the actual labor performed.  We now have a group of students with first hand knowledge of the rewarding feeling of doing something for others without compensation, the satisfaction of knowing they can accomplish their goals with hard work and dedication - no matter how challenging, and we have students with countless educational experiences that can never be taken away.   Isn't that what it is all about?

I personally want to thank each member of our group - Eric, Stephanie, Sarah, Markus, Nicole, Mitch, Kahri, Alyssa, Kristi, Mayumi, Jen, and Chelsea.  You did it!  You completed your goals in California.  Now I encourage you to put your new life skills to use where ever you might find yourself calling home.  There are plenty of jobs to be done.  Share what you have learned.  I also want to thank Steph and her staff at the Mendocino Woodlands and Matt and his staff at the Mendocino Land Trust for your guidance, assistance, and confidence that our group of Iowa students could help make the world a better place.  Thanks to parents, and Justin for housing and shuttles.  Finally, to the couple at the hospital from San Francisco, to the lady at the binocular shop in Mendocino, and to the others who expressed their appreciation for our efforts in your community - you are welcome and thank you for your hospitality.

 

© 2009 - Kip Ladage

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