Written by- Maya Williams: 2024 KSOS Director

We sit on the bank of the Salmon River, a circle of smiling faces illuminated by the fire. Violin, guitar, and the steady rush of the river serve as the soft soundtrack for our laughter and sweet conversation. On our last night together, I am struck by the beauty of this family we have fostered. Five days ago, we met at Dillon Creek to kick off the Klamath-Siskiyou Outdoor School (KSOS), introducing ourselves in a circle much like the one we are in now. Tonight we are old friends, taking care of each other and ourselves, embracing the end of this week together with love and care.

KSOS is a week-long overnight summer camp for local youth ages 11-15 led by the Mid Klamath Watershed Council. For over 15 years, this impactful summer program has offered cost-free outdoor experiences, team building activities, and stewardship projects for Mid Klamath youth. This year our group of 23 kids and 8 adult counselors came together in late June, traveling from communities along the Klamath, Trinity, Salmon, and Scott Rivers. Though some of us already knew each other well as friends or family, many were connecting for the first time and choosing to bravely embark on a journey of unknowns.

For the past week, our days have been packed with activities and exploration. We rafted the Klamath River, swam in the Salmon River, backpacked to Ruffey Lake, and tore up the basketball court at Forks Elementary School. We learned about the life and death of stars, wilderness medicine, friction fire, and river restoration projects. We taught each other new skills, cooked delicious meals, crafted vibrant friendship bracelets, sang with the rising sun, supported each other through challenging moments and joyful triumphs, and slept side by side each night under the stars.

As I look across the fire at the faces around me, I reflect on the most beautiful moments over the last week: laughter, sweet embraces, small acts of kindness, shared knowledge, creativity, incredible strength, gentle patience, older campers leading younger campers, the passing on of traditions and wisdom, reuniting, nurturing, bonding. Resilience. I am full of gratitude to be here amongst this exceptional group of kids and adult counselors.

I reflect on the months of coordination that led me here, hours poured over all of the logistics and fine details of the week that is nearly over. No matter how carefully I planned, there were always going to be challenges, activities we didn’t get to, things I could have done better. It is clear to me though that my role is to facilitate a space for all of us to come together to create this magic. KSOS family magic, built on a culture of mentorship, respect, and shared responsibility to steward the land around us. Our family is constantly forming, growing, and evolving as do our relationships to each other, our landscape, and ourselves. These moments I will cherish, the ones that give me goosebumps, cannot be planned. They are born organically and are created through bright kids and passionate adults finding deep connections to each other and our shared watershed.

It is an honor to be in this role. I am incredibly proud to be part of making this happen as I stand on the shoulders of those around me and those before me who have helped create a program that is grounded in the empowerment of our youth. KSOS has evolved over the years, and will continue to grow and change, as all things do. But regardless of what we do or where we venture, the heart of this program will always come from these amazing kids.

KSOS would not be possible without the support of partners, donors, and community members who give their time, knowledge, and money. Thank you to all who provided meaningful presentations, delicious food, donations, and logistical support to KSOS this year. Thank you to families and friends who supported these youth at home and made it possible for them to participate. Lastly, thank you to all of our campers and counselors for an unforgettable week. I will be counting down the days until next summer! -Maya

This program was funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services. It was also funded by the Mary A Crocker Trust, Harris Foundation, and Humboldt Area Foundation.