CMGT President, Caroline took a Day Hiking Leadership Training at Bemis Woods North, Westchester, IL organized by Forest Preserve on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The training is intended for teachers, group leaders, and youth educators to lead safe and fun outdoor experiences.
As explained on their website, the training focuses on thoughtful trip planning, risk management practices, memorable outdoor activities, outdoor ethics, hiking best practices, appropriate gear and more. It includes online and in-person training sessions.
In the online training module, they share a beautiful documentary movie, the Emmy award-winning Chicago’s True Nature for us to learn more about the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Here are the links to the 20 minute and full 60 minute versions.
From this documentary we learn that we, the people are the owners of the five regions of Forest Preserve of Cook County. The preserve is an art gallery, a refuge, urban respiratory system, a living classroom. There are tons of fun activities available for free, and amazing creatures, landscapes waiting to be discovered.
“The Preserve is the best hidden secret of the Cook County. Most sites are within 20 minutes of driving distance. Many people drive by the preserve but never go inside.”
– Cynthia Moreno, Director of Conservation and Experiential Programming
At the training, instructors Katie and Brian started by introducing us the map of the Salt Creek Trail and the importance of knowing how to use it for navigation by observing the surrounding areas and matching all the signs on the map.
During the training, we reviewed our online training materials, for example, the motivation, the goals of the trip, the trip planning that includes Contingency and Emergency Plan, and scouting the route ourselves before taking our group outdoor. We discussed risk factors and assessment if we lead a group of families with young kids including first aid, waiver form, common medical problem like Poison Ivy, etc.
Aside from discussing all the horrors that may happen in our outdoor activities, we also had some fun activities that we can offer to our group, for example, identifying activities that are part of respecting the wildlife, minimizing campfire impact, disposing the waste properly, etc.
On respecting the wildlife, activities can include respecting the personal space of wild animals and not feeding them, bringing binoculars for a “close up experience, leaving wildflowers, insects, plants, rocks where they are so others can enjoy them too.
Another activity during the training was a silence walk. Participants walked in distance from each other and tried to focus all senses to enjoy the surrounding areas and listening to all the sounds in nature. At the end of the day, we made new friends, even found out that some of us actually live in the same neighborhood.
Caroline gives the training two thumbs up and strongly recommends it to her circle of family and friends at the Chicago Muslims Green Team.
Pictures by Caroline CMGT and Patrick Forest Preserve