Hiking at CRNRA Gold branch Unit with kids from the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

This Sunday, Atlanta ICO joined with IRC to take a new group of kids hiking at the Gold Branch unit of the CRNRA.  It was a little cold and windy out but it was a clear blue sky day.  We ate lunch by the river, stopped to stare at a deer on the other side of the river, and had a great time learning new words from the different countries that the kids are from.

ICO and Warren B&G Club Visit Tellus Museum

On Saturday November 7, Atlanta ICO took a group of kids from the Warren Boys and Girls club to Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA.  The non-stop Georgia rain forced us to cancel the weekend camping trip and spend the day indoors.  We checked out the Weinman Mineral Gallery, the Fossil Gallery, and the Science in Motion exhibits.

 The kids also had fun playing with the hands-on inventions in the Collins Family My Big Back yard exhibit.  And last but not least, we watched the Night Sky in the Bentley Planetarium.
Pictures to the left show the kids viewing some of the exhibits.

After leaving the museum, we headed over to the Etowah Indians Mounds Historic Site to look at some of the artifacts.  It was a good day - especially to get out but not get wet in the rain.

Atlanta ICO at Sierra Club Retreat - Crooked River State Park and Cumberland Island

 The Worley Brown kids got to attend the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter retreat this year thanks to Kim Salazar and Brenda Potter of Fiserv.  This is our group shot in from of the sign before jumping on the boat for Cumberland Island

 This is a shot of the kids hanging out after hiking down to the Dungeness ruins.  Someone told us there were some horse in the back so we headed back.  Later that day as we hiked back towards the beach, we came head to head with an expecting mother horse and one of her young.  We moved over to let the two pass.  The kids went wild.

Campfire later that night after dinner and the banquet.  There is always room for marsh-mellows.

National Public Lands Day Outing

Saturday was supposed to be spent cleaning up Panola Mountain Park for National Public Lands Day.  The continuous Atlanta rain made it too muddy.  Instead, the kids from Warren Boys and Girls Club and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) visited the CDC museum to check out the new exhibit on the Georgia Refugee Communities. We received a personal tour from Louise E. Shaw, Curator of the David J. Spencer CDC Museum.

Afterwards, the groups enjoyed pizza and a hike though Lullwater Park at Emory University where we just happened to spot the Emory University President and his wife driving home.

What a great Day ! ! !

International Rescue Committee Hiking at Brasstown Bald

Atlanta ICO and IRC went hiking at Brasstown Bald on Saturday May 24th.  It was a gorgeous day as the group got to experience some hills in the back country.

May 16 Warren B&G Club Outing to Island Ford Park

Eleven youth from the Warren/Holyfield Boys and Girls Club participated in an ICO trip led by three volunteers on May 16th. The group traveled to Island Ford Park, a tract of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and began the outing with fishing "old time" style using bamboo poles and bait provided by John, a Park Ranger. The youth caught three fish in a matter of 45 minutes and followed John's instructions on how to release them back into the pond. After lunch, the kids were tugged out of the air-conditioned Welcome Center (it was a hot, humid day) for a hike. Once outside, the group had fun observing more wildlife--even snakes!, exploring an overhung rock face, and running to the top of the hill. We found ourselves off the trail sometimes, but had a lot of fun, despite the heat and a few scrapes. The participants learned how to move in the woods and catch fish – and built some lasting memories.

April 25th April Outing to Fernbank Science Museum IMAX - Mysteries of the Unseen Worldl.

On April 25th, four stalwart youth from the Warren-Holyfield Boys and Girls Club braved heavy rain to join the outing lead by two volunteers from Atlanta ICO.  The original plan was to hike to the top of Mount Yonah (a trip to take the place of one cancelled last Fall when the mountain was too icy), but heavy thundershowers and a forecast of rain and lightning all day necessitated a change of plan, again.  The trip was changed to the Fernbank Science Museum to see the IMAX film on “Mysteries of the Unseen World” and an exhibit on “Poisons” that featured poisonous plants, snakes and other animals.  Afterwards, the rain had abated and the youth voted for a hike at East Palisades Park among the nearby options.  Everyone had lunch en route to the park, and hiked the rest of the afternoon.  It was interesting to see how high the river was (covering all the rocks near “Devil’s race” where the youth explored on a previous outing), and they found a huge centipede and several small snakes along the trail—making it an exciting day overal

 On Saturday, some volunteers from Atlanta ICO took 9 kids and 4 agency reps from Worley Brown Boys and Girls Club to Cloudland Canyon State Park.

We started the afternoon with a round of team frisbee golf.  With 6 teams comprised of kids and a few adults, the kids managed to win easily.  We were over par on most holes but this was our first time.  To the left is a picture of a few kids practicing their technique.  

 After golf, we headed over to the trail head for an exciting view of the canyon.  We hiked down to the 2 waterfalls and enjoyed dipping our feet in the water.  On our way to the 2nd waterfall, we discovered some of the local wildlife.  It's always fun to see wildlife.

International Rescue Committee (IRC) on the Waterfalls Hike

13 kids, 2 IRC workers and 4 volunteers from ICO all headed out to do waterfall hikes on Saturday April 4th.  First there was Anna Ruby Falls at Unicoi State Park which is where this picture was taken.  Then there was Desoto Falls Recreation Area a few miles away.  Most of  the kids are from Iraq and Burma and have only been in the US a short time.  Everyone had a fun time.

Warren B&G Club at McIntosh Reserve Park

Nine youth and an adult leader from Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club joined three ICO volunteers for a day trip to McIntosh Reserve Park on March 28, 2015.  We parked the bus at the Council Bluff Pavilion and hiked to see an old log cabin (built ca 1839) and the grave of Chief William McIntosh.  Along the trail, the youth noted the interesting terrain, plants, lichens and other things of interest.  Upon returning to Council Bluff, we had lunch overlooking the Chattahoochee River and prepared hot water for tea using camping cook stoves.  The youth sampled different teas (traditional and fruit varieties), and one ICO volunteer even tried a tea made from Yaupon Holly leaves, the ceremonial “black tea” used by Native Americans of the Southeastern U.S.  The main event of the day was kite flying in the large open field beside Council Bluff.  Some of the youth were so excited that they ran nearly a half mile—about halfway down the field--with their kites flying high.   After a brief visit to see the cabin again, it was time to head back to the Club.

On January 31, a dozen youth, the Club driver and four Atlanta ICO volunteers visited Ocmulgee Visitor Center to learn how humans have lived for thousands of years on the Macon plateau.  After watching an introductory video about the Ocmulgee mounds and Native American life, a quick look at museum displays, and a trip to the first mound, the outdoor temperature had warmed enough to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables.  The second half of the outing was at nearby Brown’s Mount.  The youth were given maps and compasses and shown how to use them to follow the hiking trails.  From the Brown’s Mount overlook, they could easily see Macon and the surrounding area.  Much of the trail follows a ridge overlooking Bonds swamp, and it became evident why this area had served as a natural fortress when the Indians lived there.  The youth learned about its more recent inhabitants, too, and searched for—and found—the ruins of Harry Stillwell Edwards’ cabin, who wrote the poem “On the mount” a century ago.  Near this lonely chimney was a pretty stand of daffodils in bloom.  After hiking back to the bus and a quick snack, it was time to head back to the Club.

Worley Brown B&G Club at Arabia Mountain and AWARE

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Spent the day at Arabia Mountain with kids from the Worley Brown B&G Club.  We hiked up the mountain and then took a tour of the Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) center.  We saw owls, red shoulder hawks, a flying squirrel, and an opossum.  The volunteers at AWARE explained to us how wild animals end up at the center and what we could do to prevent animals in our neighborhood from becoming a visitor there

Warren B&G Club - Anna Ruby Falls & Unicoi State Park

On Saturday, November 15, nine youth from the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club braved the cold weather to hike the Anna Ruby Falls Trail and the Lake Trail at Unicoi State Park with 3 ICO leaders and a representative from the Club. The trip began with a snack and discussion of the outing, which was originally planned to be a hike on Mount Yonah; however, the conditions were not optimal for the planned hike, so the ICO Leaders switched to the back-up plan. After preparing sandwiches and filling daypacks with lunch, snacks, and water, they rode the bus to the Unicoi State Park (stopping on the way to view Mount Yonah and promise to return another day). Along the trail to Anna Ruby Falls they saw many attractive cascades, and everyone enjoyed the view of the falls at the top. They returned to the bus, rode to a picnic area beside the lake and had lunch, then discussed mountaineering skills and other techniques for safe outings in the woods—including the importance of carrying an emergency whistle, but not using it unless there is a real emergency! The weather was very comfortable for the hike around the lake and everyone enjoyed the sights along the way, and the youth were fascinated by the spillway near the end of the trail. Many of the youth napped on the bus en route back to the Club.

Warren B&G Club Arabia Mountain Preserve Hike

On Saturday, September 27, eleven youth from the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club had a great day at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve with 4 ICO leaders and a representative from the Club.  The trip began with a snack and discussion of the outing, emphasizing the special geology and biota they would see on Bradley and Arabia Mountains.  After preparing sandwiches and filling daypacks with lunch, snacks, water and a poncho, they rode the bus to the Nature Preserve.  ICO leaders discussed outdoor safety and etiquette, how to follow trails, and how to recognize the different forms of life they would see on the mountain.  They also explained that the youth should avoid stepping on the lichens and moss whenever possible, and help keep the trails free of trash by putting it into bags carried by the leaders.  The lichens, moss and flowers are abundant this year and the youth were amazed by how many things could spring from bare rock.  They enjoyed exploring Bradley Mountain and being able to see the tops of Atlanta skyscrapers from its peak.  Then, they wandered to the edge of the small lake, hiked upwards again to the top of Arabia Mountain, and were amused by the strange features of some of the rocks along the way.  They noted the relics of quarrying, and saw that some of the stone blocks have been piled into shapes like flowers and other artwork.  Everyone ate lunch on top of Arabia Mountain, then returned to the parking lot for a tour of the AWARE Wildlife Center.  The guide showed owls, hawks, skunks and other animals that lived at the Center because they had been too injured to return to nature.  With time remaining to enjoy the outdoors, the youth drew pictures of what they had seen, and played games at the base of the mountain before returning to the Club. 

East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club - Chestatee Kayaking Trip

Eleven teens from the East DeKalb Boys and Girls Club with Coach George, Coach Sonny, Patrick the lifeguard, and three ICO volunteers, Sven, Max, and Gwen headed up to Dahlonega to go kayaking on the Chestatee river. Everyone got outfitted with a paddle and life jacket then launched the kayaks into the water.  After a few minutes of paddling into the side of the river and turning in circles, the teens mastered the boats and took off downriver.  Lunch was on a sandbar at the side of the river and included a lot of playing in the river and water fights.  After lunch we went through a couple of rapids and then rode in vans back to our cars.  All had a good time and are eager to get on the water again soon.

Warren Boys & Girls Club - James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park

On May 3, the Atlanta ICO group traveled to James Floyd State park for a day of hiking and activities.  We arrived and went of a 2 mile round trip hike to the old mine.  There is a natural spring in the front entrance.  We ate lunch after the hike and then had a beginner archery lesson using 2 bows and 4 arrows and 2 targets.  The park is pretty quiet and without many visitors so it was the perfect place for this.  The kids played on the swing, watched the geese in the lake and then went on a final short hike before departing.  Great weather, fun day!