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!