Pictures from a 10 day

“Well, because of a confidentiality agreement, we cant publish pictures of the trips we do with the kids....but, my trusty partner threw a disposable camera in my pack when I wasn't looking (he thought he would get me to carry it, but I already hid one in his pack).

It was his turn to take the pictures of the kids (they get them when they graduate the program) and since I had an extra camera, I took some of the area. Disposable cameras don't do that well in bright snow. I gotta get me a small digital soon.

If your interested, you can see them here”

“NICE PICS!!!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!”

“mtnsteve..nice pics. 10 days huh? how old r these kids?”

“Kickass, Steve. I wish I had your job!”

“Great job Steve. Thanks for the effort in putting those photos together for us.

With that last photo, it was "oh man...what a way to be." Just got home from the office, so you know the deal.”

“Beautiful pics, but bittersweet for me to view.

So that is what Lassen looks like, I still have never seen the damned thing! lol!

It looks like you had perfect conditions up there.

C'est la vie!”

“great pics, thanks for sharing. didn't turn out to bad, even with a disposable cam.”

“Ivygal..The kids are between 14 and 18. Most are good kids...we are getting a few gang-bangers lately, they're not so nice.

Phaedsrus..I really like my office. When the kids are good and the weather fine, it's real nice. When it's bad, it's real bad.

Buddha Bear..I feel bad that you didnt see the best of it. If you are ever out here again, let me know.


Thanks again.”

“Great photos Steve!
Thanks for sharing them.”

“I have forgotten what even a weekend in the snow is like.
Thank you.”

“mtnsteve...the pics are absolutely beautiful! Hard to believe you took them with a disposable. You mentioned the kids are 14-18 years old. Are these kids boys scouts, delinquent kids or some type of club? I've been thinking of starting a program in my area for underprivileged kids. Thanks for sharing your experience and your pics. NJpacker”

“It's a "Hoods in the Woods" program. These are kids that are already in jail, or about to go. The program offers counseling, schooling, a wilderness program and a system of positive peer pressure to try and teach the kids the right path.

As everyone here knows, teaching kids about the wilderness can sometimes have a profound effect on their lives. If everyone had the time to take one young person on a trip, once a year, the world would be a better place.

We have kids that have never had a Christmas present, don't know where hamburger comes from (cows?) and think a mans not a man until he gets a girl pregnant.

If we don't try and fix'em, who will? The saddest truth is, we cant really fix anyone....only offer examples of how it's supposed to be done.”

“mtnsteve, great pics.

What a nice thing you're doing for your community! You should feel proud to have an inpact on those kids lives. Kuddos to you!”

“Cool program Steve!

I have seen a small glimpse first hand of what effects a wilderness outing can have on troubled youth through a program ran by a local church. We took a bunch of 12-16 year old boys on a trans-sierra trek. Some of the boys were a little rough...(not really in trouble yet)but lots of street attitudes and probably heading in the wrong direction.

It amazes me how insecure some of these guys are once you get them out of their element :)

Our first night was at Kearsarge Lakes and the coyotes started yipping and howling around dusk....the boys eyes got as big as silver dollars and you practically had to peel these kids off of you ....they had "never heard anything so scary in all of their lives"
"what was that"....all of the little "tough guy" attitudes melted away. By the end of the 5th day they were seeing the world a little differently.

It was much the same for me when I was introduced to the wilderness. Something about wild places puts things in perspective.”

“mtnsteve...great program. Thumbs up to you. I've worked in an adult correctional facility for 25 years and have known many young men who could have led productive lives if they only had the prior guidance. I've also been involved with youth sports for over 25 years and have been looking for a wilderness experience for these type kids. Your program sounds fantastic. Keep up the hard work. The world needs more men like you!”