Returning to the Nantahala River, the Alzar School organized the Camp Cup Challenge again in 2009. This year, it was a two-day event, with guest coaches providing paddling guidance both days. More than 112 young paddlers participated, representing 13 different camps from Western North Carolina. The Dixie Division of the American Canoe Association provided lunch, and our other generous sponsors provided t-shirts and prizes for the free raffle at the end of the day.
F.L.O.W. (Future Leaders on Whitewater) 2009 was an intensive leadership development course in Idaho and Northern California. Students learned and practiced whitewater kayaking and rafting skills on some of the best rivers of the West. Through Northwest Nazerene University, they were able to earn college credit. Some students earned ACA Kayak Instructor Certification, and all became Leave No Trace Trainers. Service learning projects included pulling noxious weeds along Clear Creek and removing litter from Horseshoe Bend's Gutter.
December 2008 and January 2009 found the Alzar School traveling through Mexico in search of great rivers and rich cultural events. Students paddled the Rio Antigua, Rio Valles, and Rio Actopan. With two local students, they celebrated New Year's Eve and hike hundreds of pounds of school supplies into the remote village of Xopilapas.
In August 2008, a small group of Alzar School supporters headed to the Ottawa River, in Canada for a week of surfing on Buseater Wave. Along the way, the group stopped and paddled at ASCI in Western Maryland, raised some funds for the Jean Bierle Scholarship Initiative, and had a blast.
Camp Cup Challenge 2008
The Camp Cup Challenge 2008 was held on July 21st at the Nantahala River. We had over 85 participants from 9 different camps. This was the first year in over five years that the Camp Cup has been held. Participants were able to compete in two events, whitewater slalom and downriver, and had one run in the morning and another in the afternoon. The American Canoe Association sponsored the event, providing lunch for all participants and competitors.
Boise State University ran the program “W.I.L.D. Idaho 2008” to give students the opportunity to challenge themselves on the amazing rivers of Idaho. Students learned the “10 Elements of Leadership” and took turns leading the group individually and in small teams. The Alzar School’s Kristin and Sean Bierle were the lead instructors for this program.
The Alzar School took a group of students on a three-week expedition around Chile in February 2008. Starting in Santiago, we worked our way down to the Lake District, paddling on the Rios Fuy, Enco, Luicura, and Trancura. Then, we completed an overnight, 10 mile hike to “La Enladrillado,” a perfectly flat plateau famous as an “alien landing zone.” From there we made our way to Pichilemu, where we enjoyed the big, fun waves of the Pacific. Our last night was spent with our Chilean student, Rosario, and her dad at their home outside Curico. The next day, we continued our support of the Conin Orphanage in Curico. Overall, the trip was a huge success, and the Alzar School is proud what its students have accomplished!
In October 2007, Kristin and Sean headed south from El Paso, Texas on a pair of motorcycles. Their mission: to scout out Mexico as a potential site for future Alzar School programs, deliver school supplies to rural schools, and to raise funds for the Bierle Scholarship Initiative. Along the way, they rode 3,655 miles, paddled nine different stretches of river, and supplied a rural school deep in Copper Canyon. It was a huge success.
February 2007 found the Alzar School and a group of students exploring the rivers and culture of Chile. In three weeks, our team made very successful runs down the Rio Teno, Rio Claro, Rio Achibueno, and Rio Nuble. During the expedition, we did much more than just kayak. We were able to visit an orphanage in Curico, bringing small gifts for the children, who ranged between six months and six years of age. We spent a day hiking to the base of Volcan Planchon and Lagunas Teno, reaching approximately 8,500 feet in elevation. We finished off the trip by surfing at the world-renowned break in Pichilemu and touring Santiago.
In August of 2004, Alzar hosted a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course outside of Garden Valley, Idaho. The course was taught by CDS Outdoor School. WFR Certification is fast becoming an industry standard for outdoor leaders, and would benefit anyone who is active in wild, remote locations where even minor emergencies can become extremely serious. We were proud to play a part in the development of future trip leaders. Just remember, all the photos included are only practice scenarios, and not real emergencies!
