See what we can grow together
Volunteers have long been an essential part of the community support that powers Adventure Crew’s programs and events. From the 300+ volunteers it takes to pull off Paddlefest each year to the smaller, dedicated groups that show up to help our teens learn to ski, ride a bike, paddle a kayak or scale a climbing wall, these partnerships are invaluable.
In late March, we teamed up with our conservation partner Cardinal Land Conservancy for a tree-planting and trash cleanup day at their Winton Preserve, next to Bahr Farm in College Hill. After a spring rain that morning, our crew — eight teens, two parents, two Adventure Crew staff (Director of Support & Engagement Miriam Wise and me), corporate volunteers from Johnson & Johnson, and members of the Cardinal Land Conservancy team — made our way past cow pastures to a hillside worksite once overrun with honeysuckle. Our mission: To plant more than 200 native saplings and help restore the landscape.
Shawn Steurer
Cardinal Land Conservancy has been an incredible partner over the past year, offering hands-on conservation and ecology experiences for teens in our Pathfinder program. This event was our way of saying thanks — and of connecting corporate volunteers with a meaningful, muddy and memorable way to give back.
J&J volunteer lead Shawn Steurer (who, along with his wife, Mimi Huang, regularly volunteers in our programs) shared this reflection:
“Our J&J corporate credo says, ‘We are responsible to the communities in which we live and work,’ and having a partner in Adventure Crew made it really easy for us to support the Cincinnati-area community! Doing the tree planting and trash pickup work with the students was a nice mix of working with our hands on the land and working with our minds and hearts to connect with the students. Great idea, and thanks for planning the event.”
We’re grateful to Shawn, the Johnson & Johnson volunteers and the Cardinal Land Conservancy team for bringing such energy and encouragement to our teens. You’ve made a lasting impact!
And a special shout-out to a couple of our teens’ parents who joined us to plant trees, DeRhonda Calhoun and Virginia Holmes. Of her first tree-planting experience, Virginia shared:
“It was a great experience, me and my son enjoyed being there. It felt as if we were hiking, going through the trails, seeing the chickens, cows (helped me conquer some of my fears of livestock). It gave us a camping feeling … helped us understand the reason to replant trees. Thank you for the great experience.”
If your company offers paid volunteer time, let’s put it to good use — on the trail, in the woods, by the water, and with the next generation of outdoor leaders (and maybe their parents!). We’d love to connect. Reach out to me, libby@adventurecrew.org, anytime.
Not part of a corporate group but still want to volunteer? Please fill out our volunteer interest form and we’ll be in touch!
Adventure Crew staff members Miriam and Libby are pictured with Crew teen Valentino Holmes, a seventh grader at Hughes, and his mom, Virginia Holmes.