This September 25-27, will see me at The Joshua Tree Experience.

The folks at The Joshua Tree Experience drew me into this event by describing it as

By taking part in Outdoor Outreach’s 2009 Joshua Tree Experience, you will have the chance to enjoy a fully-catered, action-packed weekend in Joshua Tree National Park. Activities will include rock climbing, rappels, specialty clinics, hiking, camping, yoga, meeting like-minded individuals and learning more about Outdoor Outreach and the youth we serve.

They sealed the deal by making this event all about Outdoor Outreach, which is a very worthy organization right here in San Diego.  Outdoor Outreach mission is to “empower at-risk and underprivileged youth to make positive , lasting changes in their lives through comprehensive outdoor programming”.

Most of you who are reading this understand the power of being outdoors as a mitigating influence on the negativity in our lives.  If you are anything like me, you use the the energy that immersion in nature provides to recharge one soul, and realign one’s positive attitude that daily living often knocks out of whack.  Now imagine not having access to this healing device, and you will understand why programs such as Outdoor Outreach are so important to the health of our communities, as well as the health of our wild places.  By giving children the opportunity to experience the power on nature in their lives, they will also understand the why it is so important to preserve these places, and will become lifelong advocates of our environment.

John Muir once wrote; “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” John Muir was believer in the concept of turning people in to advocates through direct experience. Yosemite, his most enduring legacy, remains as it does today, because he brought people into the area to experience its wonders.  Let do out part to make this kind of experience happen for everyone, especially those who do not have the resources to access our wild places.

If you can help,  A few dollars is all it takes to help out this great organization.   Donate here