As an AmeriCorps member, we are supposed to lead by example, however a big part of that is recognizing all of the other great examples around you, and adjusting yourself to be the best leader (or follower) you can be. That’s the greatness in community; there are examples all around that can guide you and help you improve in challenging areas.
Interpersonal connections make us stronger and help us reach farther than possible alone. So while I’m nervous to start a new term and saddened by the thought of saying goodbye to the summer crew, I’m grateful for the many opportunities we’ve shared together. I know that this isn’t really goodbye, and that my network is growing.
Fun fact: I’m what some people would consider a “hardcore” Lord of the Rings fan. As a child growing up in the typically flat lands of Finland and Florida, my eyes always grew wide in wonder at the descriptions of traversing mountaintops, battling orcs, and facing countless dangers through rain or shine with a band of merry, trusted companions. Well my dreams came true in a way during the week we spent preparing for our annual Squam Ridge Race.
By the time you’re reading this, the 2019 Squam Ridge Race will have already happened. But at the time of writing this, we are all running around preparing for it. This is my first time experiencing the ridge race, but I’m incredibly excited for it; even with all the hectic preparations. For anyone is scratching their heads wondering what I’m even talking about, the Ridge Race is a race that stretches across several hiking trails in the Squam Lake Watershed. There is both a 12 mile and a 4 mile trail, and people of all ages can participate.
A little something to know about me: I hate change. Despise is a word that comes to mind. It’s not something I particularly appreciate about myself, but I’ve grown to accept the inevitable. Hard to go very far in life without coming across it here and there, though, you know? Change is inescapable, and being able to roll with it in the face of any fear or anxiety is an important skill (and I’ve got plenty of those, mind you. Fears and anxieties, that is). I think I’ve recognized my distaste for all things new and unknown for awhile now, hence a couple of attempts to force myself to ‘get out there’ and ‘expand my horizons’ in the face of my fears. One of which involved literally seeking horizons on the opposite side of the country, where the sun rises over the ocean instead of sets over it.
Signs of a good trailwork day: sore legs, dirt under your nails, a new bruise or two to show off, and a satisfying sense of accomplishment. In the winter, trailwork days were my favorite. I was new to the area then, so strapping on a pair of snowshoes and hitting the trails with loppers in hand was the best way to explore our new home while also working up a sweat. As the weather warmed up, and winter gradually shifted into spring and then sweltering summer, the focus of our LRCC duties at the SLA became less about trailwork and individual projects and more about camp caretaking, diving for invasive milfoil, and acting as hosts at our trailheads and boat launches.
It is September and the months that I had been longing for have come to an abrupt end. Caretaking camping weekends will start being shorter, diving days will be less, and hot days spent by the water will soon be over. All winter I had heard about how awesome summer was from AmeriCorps members who have been here in the warmer months and from members of the public. “The summer is awesome”, “you’re going to love diving” and “the lake is so beautiful”. Holy cow, was everyone right. This summer has flown. It seems like in a blink it has come and gone and while there still a couple weeks left, the fall weather seems to be moving in.
It’s almost the end of August, and that fact is astonishing to me. The ten-month AmeriCorps term came to an end a couple of days ago on the 25thof August (which incidentally was my birthday), and as a tribute, we recently had a “Celebration of Service” event. The nature of the event was self-explanatory, to celebrate all of the time and effort that we’ve put in as AmeriCorps, and all of the Lakes Region Conservation Corps members and their site managers were invited. Before an afternoon of barbequed foods and games, there was a ceremony held in the great room of the Squam Lakes Association. I was asked to give a small speech about my time here and how the program has benefitted me, and therefore I was doing a lot of reflection on my time here. That day has come and gone, however, and although I no longer have a speech to prepare for, I am still doing a great deal of reflection.
