10. Children's Program Activities. In April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month, we sponsored a poster contest with the theme "If Kids Ruled the World..." and held a Family Fun Fair at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School. We had over thirty wonderful poster entrees from elementary school children and more than seventy children and adults attended the Fair which included lots of fun family activities such as bowling, an obstacle course, art projects and face painting. Along with the Fun Fair, I also helped out with our shelter's 5k run for its Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run is a national organization that focuses on building self-esteem for elementary and middle school aged girls as well as introducing them to issues relating to teamwork, media literacy, healthy boundaries and relationships and a myriad of other topics that are meant to inspire and educate them.
9. Camping at Pirate's Cove. In early May, my housemates and I spent a night camping on one of the small islands off the coast of Sitka. It was a really nice getaway and community building trip and included lots of exploring, sitting by the fire and s'mores! The highlight of the trip for me though was sleeping out under the stars in a giant hammock with Katie and Greg.
8. Fishing with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Yesterday I volunteered to serve as a Big Brother for the day and joined them on a fishing trip that the local charter association offers to the program each year. I got to spend the afternoon on a boat called Triple Play with a really cool 8 year old, a Big Brother volunteer and Katie's boss' partner. We all caught a king salmon (Yay!!!) and we got to see gray whales and lots of eagles. Also, I had my first puffin sighting!!! Coupled with the fact that I filleted both of the king salmon that Katie and I caught when we got home, it was an epic day in Alaska.
7. Eagles. They are everywhere. I never get tired of seeing them or watching them fly, soar and even swim! I'm including pictures here because they work better than words.
6. Weather and daylight. The weather has been amazing! It has been mostly sunny for the better part of the past month and it's looking like we could have a repeat of last summer which I've heard was gorgeous. I also have to admit that I am a huge fan of the extended daylight that we receive here in Alaska. Last night it was not completely dark at 11:30pm and on Saturday night, the sky was starting to show signs of lighting up at around 2am. So, there is lots of light and added time to do fun things outside basically until it's time to fall asleep.
5. People here are awesome! From my co-workers who help me get through the day to my housemates who make community life so crazy, light and unpredictable and to the group of friends I've found here who are capable of being hilarious, serious and sassy at the drop of a hat. The start of tourist season last month has also brought with it the added bonus of charter captains from around the country and visitors from places such as England, Australia and New Zealand. Basically, when those people are around, I could listen to them talk all day long.
4. Hiking, and lots of it. With the longer days and nicer weather I have gotten out on the trails a lot more than I was able to in winter. Since I last posted, I finally made it up to Picnic Rock on Mt. Verstovia with Meg and some of the Juneau JVs, have gotten out on Herring Cove and Mosquito Cove several times and went up the infamous Gavan Hill Trail last weekend.
3. Indian River. Two weeks ago, when it was sunny and in the 70s, I went hiking with a few friends along the Indian River trail and we jumped in! When I tell you that the water was both frigid and refreshing I am not lying. It was by far the coldest water I have ever been in and it was super invigorating to jump in from just off the trail.
2. Folk Fest. JVs got together in Juneau and hilarity ensued. There was lots of music, dancing, great conversations, barefoot soccer on the beach, and fun had by all.
1. Top Gun Party. Flightsuits, aviators, windmill high fives. Need I say more? JVs from Juneau, future and former JVs from all over and current and former Americorps volunteers reported for duty decked out and gave Maverick and Ice Man a run for their money.
Basically, the past 2 months have been a whirlwind and I am looking forward to our upcoming retreat focused on Ignatian Spirituality to slow down and hang out with my fellow JVs from around Alaska. Three of my housemates and I will be joined by Paddy from Juneau for several days of hiking and exploring in Denali National Park after our retreat. Until then, peace out.
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be a JV in Sitka starting next month, your blog got passed along to me in an email from one of my new community members and I've loved reading about your experiences there so far. Thank you so much for sharing them! (I actually think I talked to you on the phone back in March, and asked at least 100 questions, while I was making my decision to go to Sitka this year. Thanks for all your help and insights!) The pictures are incredible and the adventures you've had this year sound amazing. I hope we have half the fun your house has had this past year. Hope the last bit of JVC finishes up well! Good luck as you wrap up.
-Liz Purdy