On November 14, 2009, ICO Certified Leaders Gary and Renee as well as volunteers Peter and Kasey took six students from PS 241 across the East River to Queens.   Heading south, they drove to the causeway between Queens and the Rockaway Peninsula, ending at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Jamaica Bay.

October 17, 2009 -- On Oct 17 Certified Leaders Ray Greenwell, Craig Meisner and Emily Fitzgerald along with CatRock Youth Leaders Shaqai and Kyron and ICO Volunteers Karen, Charles and Kasey, led 20 students from CampInteractive and Kingsbridge High School on a hike in Harriman State Park.

October 10, 2009 -- The CatRock Leadership Academy is a select group of 10 students who demonstrate a passion and commitment to the outdoors and technology, and have a desire to learn more. The CatRock students attend monthly outdoor expeditions and leadership trainings, become certified in first aid and CPR, and will go on to assist on outdoor trips and technology classes. Most importantly, alumni serve as role models and mentors to younger students.

May 9, 2009 -- On March 9th, Certified Leaders Ray Greenwell, Emily Fitzgareld and Craig Meisner, along with volunteers Rucker Alex, Ed Sobin, and Laurie Thompson, led a fun hike in the Norvin Green State Forest in Ringwood, NJ with about 25 students from Kingsbridge International High School and CampInteractive.

The group took the Hewitt-Butler trail to High Point Manhattan. The fog burned off by early afternoon and revealed an amazing waterfall and two abandoned mines. Other highlights on the trail included a day-glow orange newt, a snake, frogs, toads and Django -- Ray's dog. As usual, the students were terrific.

Photos of the trip are here thanks to Laurie Thompson. Check out the "Wizard of Oz" effect: how the photos start out in black and white, then the world turns to color once the group gets on the trail.

Submitted by ICO Volunteer Rucker Alex