July 24, 2008

Fundraiser for at-risk youth

Nicole Mason, a local hiker, rock climber and outdoor enthusiast, is hosting Hobby Day to raise money to help at-risk youth by getting them outdoors and into nature.

Hobby Day will be held Sunday, Aug.10, from 1-5 p.m. at REI, 43962 Fremont Blvd. in Fremont. People of all ages and walks of life will have the opportunity to learn about and try various recreational, life-enriching activities in one place. Interactive activities include lessons in yoga, karate, ceramics, scrap booking, stained glass, painting and more. There will also be a special ice-climbing wall, music and ham radio demonstrations.

There is no admittance fee, but a suggested ($20) donation per adult is requested to Bay Area Wilderness Training (www.BAWT.org). BAWT will be there to provide information about their work, as well as how to get into hiking, backpacking and climbing. REI is not only generously providing the venue for free, they will be participating with offerings of their own.

“We believe that well led trips to granite cliffs, isolated beaches and ancient redwoods, provide youth with powerful and life changing experiences” said Mason. “I wanted to hold a fundraiser to help this philanthropy whose focus is young people who have possibly never been outside urban areas, while also introducing my community to new hobbies and activities in a fun, family oriented way.”

BAWT, a program of the Earth Island Institute, began with the idea that California’s bountiful wilderness areas are a vast, yet untapped, resource for local youth-serving organizations. BAWT promotes the wise use of these national, state and regional parks through their professional wilderness leadership training.