Inner Light Ministries Community Backpacking Trip 2016 Tahoe National Forest August 11 15 Trip Information Intent : The intent of this trip is to provide an empowering opportunity for people of all ages within the Inner Light community to connect with nature and each other, explore, be inspired, have fun, and practice cooperation and responsibility. Through immersion in the peace and beauty of nature, slowing our pace to wilderness time, and listening to each other and ourselves, we co create an environment of safety and trust in which we all experience the sacred in nature and ourselves. We practice living in community while balancing connections with self, others, and Spirit. Our intent is to be inclusive of people with a range of abilities and experience. For example, those with greater wilderness skills and/or physical ability support those with greater need in those areas; however everyone contributes to the group according to their capacity and interest. We welcome the opportunity to develop mindful responsibility and mutual service while learning from each other across generations. Please note: building and being in community are crucial elements in the design of this trip. Although there are opportunities for connecting in smaller groups, with one other person, or with God in the form of nature, the trip is intentionally designed as a communal experience. If you are looking for an opportunity to get away and connect with only one special person, this trip would not be a good match for your needs. Event Sponsorship : The 2016 ILM Community Backpacking Trip is being sponsored by the Families Ministry and organized by a small group of volunteers. Other ministries interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact Beth Freewomon. Trip Description : The destination of this trip is the Carr/Feeley Lakes region of the Tahoe National Forest. If you are interested in finding out more about the destination, you can view an interactive map of the area by going to Google Maps and typing in Island Lake Tahoe National Forest. Pictures of three of the previous Inner Light backpacking trips to this region can be found at http://ilmislandlake09.shutterfly.com/, http://ilmislandlake10.shutterfly.com/, and http://islandlake2011.shutterfly.com/. Since this is a backpacking trip, we will drive to the trailhead, put on backpacks filled with all the equipment, clothing, food, and miscellaneous items we will need for several days, then hike to our camping area. We will set up base camp at Island Lake. Many optional day hikes to other areas, including numerous other lakes, will be possible. Depending on who registers for the trip, we may also send a contingent of teens and their adult mentors to nearby Penner Lake for a night of independent camping. Target Audience : The target audience for the trip is ILM community members of all ages and most abilities, though the ability to walk 1.8 miles carrying a backpack is required. Because of the community focus of the trip, we encourage people with stronger bodies to carry more of the community equipment and to support those who are smaller or have physical challenges in transporting their gear. No backpacking Page 1 of 5
experience is required, however some experienced backpackers are needed to lead small groups and support less experienced participants learning about wilderness skills. The participant group will be a balanced configuration of adults, children, and teens. Teens unaccompanied by family members or guardians are welcome. Identified adult leaders will take responsibility for supervising teens. An adult family member or other adult sponsor must accompany all children twelve and under. The maximum number of participants will be limited to 30 people. We reserve the right to limit the size to a smaller number, depending on availability of experienced leadership or other factors. Trip Orientation Meetings : All participants who are new to the ILM Community Backpacking Trip must attend at least one of our two scheduled Orientation meetings. People who have participated in past ILM Community Backpacking Trips are encouraged, but not required, to attend. Sunday, July 24, 1:00 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 1:00 2:30 p.m. The focus of the orientations will be on trip overview and intent. We will also do a brief presentation about the trip, demonstrate backpacking equipment, play games together, and provide a packing list of items needed for the trip. A light lunch will be provided. At least one parent or guardian of each teen traveling unaccompanied by a family member must also attend a preview meeting. Any person of any age who is new to this trip and is unable to make one of the orientation meetings must make alternative arrangements to be able to participate in the trip. Small Group Model Each registered participant will be assigned to a small group consisting of 1 or more leaders and approximately 3 5 additional participants. Small group leaders will be available to meet with groups or individuals in advance to support participants in gathering appropriate gear and packing their backpacks. Small group leaders will also be available for consultation and support during the trip. Mandatory Kick off Meeting All participants of every age must attend the mandatory kick off meeting on Wednesday evening, August 10 from 6:00 8:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to collectively develop group agreements, distribute community food and equipment, participate in a pack check, and place our packed backpacks in vehicles in preparation for an early morning departure on Thursday, August 11th. This meeting will also provide participants the first opportunity to connect with everyone who is going on the trip. Transportation : We will be traveling from Santa Cruz to the trailhead at Carr and Feeley Lakes in a caravan of three to five vehicles. One car will be our emergency vehicle that can be mobilized quickly in case of need. In order to keep our caravan to a manageable size, we plan to have cars and/or minivans with capacity for a fair amount of people. If you have a car that can safely transport at least five people to the trailhead and are willing to drive, please let us know. Gas reimbursement is possible. At the end of the trip, we will caravan back together in the vehicles. Page 2 of 5
Itinerary : The following itinerary is very general, indicating only main activities. A more specific travel itinerary for August 11 and 15 will be provided. In order to insure timely arrival at our destinations, there will be designated bathroom stops and only one purchasing stop per day on the travel days. Wednesday, August 10: 6:00 7:15 p.m. Pray in, introductions, game, group agreements 7:15 8:00 p.m. Distribute community equipment and community food, adjust packs, and stow in vehicles as ready. Pray out. 8:00 8:30 p.m. Finish packing each pack and stow in vehicles as ready. We suggest getting plenty of sleep before leaving in the morning. Thursday, August 11: 6:00 a.m. meet at Inner Light Ministries (parking lot) 6:15 a.m. pray, load into vans, and leave 1:30 p.m. arrive at trailhead (Carr Lake) 3:30 p.m. (approx) arrive at Island Lake and begin to set up camp see Community Life section for other activities Friday, August 12 see Community Life section for activities Saturday, August 13: see Community Life section for activities Sunday, August 14: morning church services by the Lake, time tba see Community Life section for other activities prepare for early morning pack up instructions to be provided Monday, August 15: wake up, eat, tear down camps and pack backpacks 10:00 a.m. all leave base camp to head back to the trailhead 11:30 arrive at trailhead 12:00 p.m. drive back to Santa Cruz County to arrive around 6:00 p.m. Community Life : Activities include such things as swimming, day hikes, nature crafts, spiritual practices, singing, and unstructured time. Participants are encouraged to lead additional activities in accordance with their own gifts and talents. There will be campfires if there is interest and if the Forest Service is allowing them. It has been a very dry year, so it is likely that fires will not be allowed. Please note that this is an alcohol and drug free trip. All participants are expected to help with some of the chores associated with living communally in nature, for example preparing meals, cleaning up, pumping water, digging the latrine, or leading an activity. A bulletin board contains information about Page 3 of 5
necessary chores, AKA Loving Acts of Service. Participants are expected to check the bulletin board on a regular basis and pitch in with such service as they feel called. One highlight of community life is the annual Perseid meteor shower, which will be happening during our trip dates. Island Lake is an optimal place to view these showers. After the crescent moon sets every night during the trip (and especially the last night) we will be able to view this magnificent sight laying on the rocks around the lake. Food : Dinners are communal and dinner food is provided by trip organizers. These meals are simple, hearty, one or two pot meals, as is typical for wilderness dining. Participants are responsible for providing their own breakfasts, lunches, and snacks; potlucks are encouraged. A list of suggested foods that work well for backpacking is available. Trip leaders are also available to work with their small groups in advance of the trip to support food choice and preparation. Bear canisters are provided, and all food, cosmetics, and personal care products must be kept in bear canisters during the trip. Each person will be allotted about 1.5 gallons worth of space in a bear canister and all of the above items must fit in this space. Additionally, each participant is required to keep her/his own trash in the bear canister. Small trash bags will be provided for this purpose. Bear canisters can be borrowed in advance of the trip in order to support participants in gauging how much can fit in the allotted canister space. Equipment : A complete equipment, clothing, and incidentals list will be provided at the orientation meetings. The essentials for each person include hiking boots or comfortable shoes with excellent tread, an appropriately sized frame backpack, a sleeping bag and mat. A tent is essential and can be shared between several individuals. Inner Light owns some equipment that can be borrowed. There will also be an appeal to the ILM community for equipment loans to be borrowed by those with need. Trip organizers will provide sufficient stoves, cookware, and water filters for the community. If you have these types of backpacking equipment that you would like to share, please contact organizers so we can insure that we have enough, and only enough. Since it is a community trip, our intent is to make sure that we do not pack unnecessary equipment at the expense of safety for everyone. Registration and Fees : Early bird discounted fees for this trip are $110/person if paid in full by July 10, 2016. Standard registration fees between July 11 and July 27 are $125/person. Fees cover transportation, four dinners, and all activities. Fees also include a $25 non refundable deposit to defray processing costs. To register, fill out a registration form from : http://goo.gl/forms/127c3suppyj6bpz72 and submit with fees in one of the following ways: Online: http://www.innerlightministries.com/ilm community backpacking trip/ Fill out the form and submit payment to Inner Light. Via mail: Find form online, and mail money and form to Inner Light Ministries, PO Box 1029, Soquel, CA 95073, attn: Backpacking In person at ILM. Trip organizers will be staffing a table in the Social Hall on some Sundays between now and the event. You can register at those times, or by getting a registration form from the black Backpacking Trip binder on the Page 4 of 5
Connections table and using the Education Ministry self serve station in the Social Hall. Registrations accompanied by full payment (or a minimum deposit of $25/person) will be accepted on a first come/first serve basis in alignment with established quotas. Space is limited, so promptness is important. Once we have reached our maximum number of participants, a waiting list will be established. Trip fees have been calculated based on anticipated expenses. Early bird discounted fees are being offered to encourage early registration because planning is much more ease filled if we know who is going well in advance of the trip. Our refund policy is as follows: The $25 deposit is non refundable. People may request a refund up until July 27. All but $25 will be refunded. After July 27, refunds will only be granted in cases of extenuating circumstances such as injury or death in the family. In order to insure that individuals and families of differing economic circumstances can participate, we are soliciting donations for a scholarship fund. If you would like to contribute, please indicate the amount on your registration form and include your contribution with your registration. To request scholarship support, please attach a brief letter of request to your application, indicating your intent for the trip & your need for aid. Questions : If you have questions, please contact Beth Freewomon: 831 471 9677 or bethfreewomon@yahoo.com or Kris Hill: 831 252 2959 or krishill@mac.com Page 5 of 5