Thank Yous for Dec. 9, 2018

Thank Yous for Dec. 9, 2018

With the Season of Thanks upon us, we are reflecting on our gratitude for all who made the eighth year of the Juneau Trail and Road Runners’ Lynn Canal Running Camp a success. Forty high schoolers from all over Alaska and the country (Juneau, Skagway, Petersburg, Gustavus, Sitka, Palmer, Anchorage, Seattle, Vermont, Massachusetts and Minnesota) explored Juneau’s muddy trails and towering peaks while learning the values of community, friendship and teamwork.

Campers worked together to complete “Olympic” challenges that involved not only physical ability, but on-the-spot creative thinking (have you ever peeled a banana without your hands?). Runners participated in a variety of workshops throughout the week, including anatomy, injury prevention, yoga, steeplechase, first aid, physical therapy, Native Youth Olympics, choral strengthening and mental inspiration. Lynn Canal would like to thank all of our workshop leaders from around the community who shared their time to help teach and inspire our devoted young runners: Jamie Bursell, Jenny Strumfeld, Meghan Desloover, Annie Albrecht, Kyle Worl and Guy Thibodeau.

A special thank you to Juneau Trail and Road Runners, especially to treasurer Brian Laurent, for being an integral part of camp’s success and putting up with our incessant requests, emails, texts and bombardment of receipts after camp! This camp would not be possible without seed funding provided more than eight years ago by the John Caouette Memorial Fund and the Juneau Community Foundation for ongoing support for this unique and holistic running experience. Other major funders supporting operations, stipends and scholarships include: Valley Medical Care, Juneau Emergency Medical Associates, John Bursell, Sandi Pahlke, White Pass & Yukon Railroad Route, RMC Engineering, Juneau Physical Therapy, MRV Architects, JM Walsh & Co., and many other local citizens.

Rainbow Foods, Nugget Alaskan Outfitter, Foggy Mountain Shop and Coppa, provided a variety of camp essentials, from fresh food to awards to local delicacies. Jessica Schalkowski and the U.S. Forest Service, along with the CBJ Parks and Recreation Department were gracious collaborators, exposing 40 aspiring runners to brand new trails and adventures. Thank you to Eagle River United Methodist Camp for hosting us yet again, especially Tracy and Sergei for enduring camp shenanigans and exuberancy.

Thank you to the McTague, Mead, Davies, Bathija and Hamburger-Otsea families for transporting and housing out-of-town campers. Maddie Hall, Elizabeth Ramseth, Morgan (Mo) Michels, Kaleb Korta, Andre Bunton, Zack Bursell and Jesse Miller joined us as energetic and dedicated camp counselors. Chef Greg (Gary, Craig) Smith yet again artfully and successfully executed the feeding of 50 ravenous endurance athletes, with support Mary Aparezuk and daughter Talia in making pizza dough for all! John Nagel, Geoff Roes, Bob Marshall, Paul DeSlover, Justin Jones, Guy Thibodeau and many other local Juneauites provided support and safety in guiding campers on our nationally acclaimed trails.

Juneau is constantly referred to as one of the top trail running destination in the world. Our campers and staff agree (totally not biased!). LCRC is grateful to all those who maintain and improve these trails, and to the many people from our community who joined us to ensure the health, enthusiasm and support for next generation of runners. If we missed thanking you personally, please know that camp would not be possible without you, and we hope to have your continued support for Lynn Canal Running Camp and the next generation of cross country runners!

Merry Ellefson, Hilary Young and Tristan Knutson-Lombardo,

Lynn Canal Running Camp Directors

More in Neighbors

A change in season is marked by tree leaves turning color at Evergreen Cemetery in late September of 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gimme a Smile: P.S. Autumn is here.

Ready or not, here it comes. The days are getting shorter, new… Continue reading

A double rainbow appears in Juneau last Friday. (Photo by Ally Karpel)
Living and Growing: Embracing Tohu V’vohu — Creation Amidst Chaos

Over the course of the past year, during which I have served… Continue reading

Birch and aspen glow orange in September in the Chena River State Recreation Area east of Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: The varying colors of fall equinox

We are at fall equinox, a day of great equality: All the… Continue reading

A male pink salmon attacks another male with a full-body bite, driving the victim to the bottom of the stream.(Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: Eagle Beach strawberries and salmon

A walk at Eagle Beach Rec Area often yields something to think… Continue reading

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.
Living and Growing: Rúhíyyih Khánum, Hand of the Cause of God

Living in Juneau I would like to take a moment to acknowledge… Continue reading

A calm porcupine eating lunch and not displaying its quills. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
On the Trails: Prickly critters here and afar

Prickles, thorns, and spines of some sort are a common type of… Continue reading

The Rev. Karen Perkins.
Living and Growing: Coping with anger, shock and despair after a loss

The last several Living and Growing columns have included reflections about death,… Continue reading

A female humpback whale Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve biologists know as #219 breaches in the waters near the park. When a whale breaches, it often leaves behind flakes of skin on the surface of the ocean. Scientists can collect sloughed skin and send it to a laboratory to learn about the genetics or diet of the whale. (National Park Service photo by Christine Gabriele, taken under the authority of scientific research permit #21059 issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service)
Alaska Science Forum: The welcome return of an old friend to Icy Strait

There was a time when Christine Gabriele wondered if she’d ever see… Continue reading

Sandhill cranes fly over the Mendenhall wetlands. (Photo by Gina Vose)
On the Trails: An uncommon encounter with Sandhill cranes

One sunny day near the end of August, a friend and I… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Living and Growing: Giving space for grief is healthy and grounded

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter… Continue reading

A rainbow spans North Douglas on Aug. 16. (Photo by Kelsey Riederer)
Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots… Continue reading

The little blue stars of felwort flowers appear late in the season. (Photo by David Bergstrom)
On the trails: Out and about, here and there

On a foggy morning toward the middle of August, a friend and… Continue reading