New Haven Independent

But first we headed in the Farnam House van out to Lighthouse Point Park to participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup. We hooked up with a New Haven Girl Scout troop and scoured the beach, rocks, and nearby picnic areas for trash. Of course none of the kids wanted to do this at first, but once they got their gloves and garbage bags, they became little detectives, ferreting out any and all scraps of paper, bottles and cigarette butts.

Then we drove to People’s State Forest in Barkhamstead, in lovely Litchfield County. Got set up in our beautiful top-of-the-hill youth group campsite with no one else around (so no need to worry about the kids making noise). After lunch from a well-stocked cooler, we went to visit the Stone Museum at the bottom of the hill, where naturalist Walt Landgraf welcomed the kids to come in and touch everything — the stuffed animals and the pelts of all kinds of mammals native to the area, like deer, skunk and beaver. They were fascinated by the native American technique of making holes in soft stone with primitive tools.

Okay, time for a short hike to some west-facing ledges with beautiful views across the Farmington River Valley. Anthony, who was most insistent that he wasn’t going hiking, ended up leading the group back to the campsite. Joseph found a really big toad, picked it up, and dropped it three feet to the ground when it squirmed in his hands. We’re constantly balancing between trying to teach the kids to respect nature and giving them the opportunity to experience it first-hand.

Dinner over the campstove, and s’mores over the fire. I guess when I was young I liked this gooey combination of graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows, but I’ve long since outgrown it. But no camping trip would be complete without it.

Then, with the waning moon not risen yet, we set off about 100 feet for a night hike without flashlights. David leads this part, and tries to get the kids to focus on senses other than sight. Then, when their eyes adjust to the dark, they’re always slightly amazed to realize how much they can see. The stars are brilliant, and I’m just sorry the trees prevent us from seeing all but a sliver of sky.

So, then it’s time for scary stories. David tells a convincing one about the man with the hook being right here in this park, so much so that 9-year-old Angelina wakes me up a dozen times to say, “Miss Melinda, I can’t sleep.” Meanwhile, her cousin Kayla drops off the instant she hits her sleeping bag.

When nature calls at 4 a.m., I crawl out of the tent and can hear both the great horned owl (“who-who-who”) and the barred owl (one “who”) so clearly I think they’re in the trees right above me. How lovely.

Morning comes early for me after so little sleep. Breakfast and breaking camp take most of the morning. (Rortunately there was neither rain nor dew to soak the tents, so they get put away clean and dry.)

On our way out of the state forest, we stop to check out the Farmington River. We find some insects and some tiny fish. The water is clean and the river, bordered by trees, is beautiful.

Our last stop is a nearby state park, Burr Pond. Sunday is possibly the warmest day we’ve had all month — perfect for swimming and canoeing around the little islands in the pond.

It was another great ICO trip — not perfect, as there was the usual bickering, and dismay as 12 people managed to make a total pigsty of the van. (Gotta work on that.) By the time I drive the van back to Farnam House, I’m exhausted. Anthony (my special pal, whom I’ve known all of his almost-12 years), says, “Melinda, can I spend the night at your house? I don’t have school tomorrow.”

ICO is an outreach program of the Sierra Club, the nation’s oldest and largest environmental organization. The New Haven chapter was founded in 1993, and provides outdoor trips, experience in nature, and leadership development to hundreds of children and youth who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Each of our groups goes on monthly day trips and an annual camping trip. Interested in volunteering? E-mail here.