This space is reserved this week for the younger set with two inspiring stories in through the transom in the last couple of days. First up, the mysterious deposits into our bank account from Go Fund Me. "Do we know Gavyn Corchado?" came the call from Marci. 

I did not, but a click or two uncovered that he is a student at MMI Preparatory School in Mountain Top and is the founder of Nature's Soldiers, as Gavyn writes, "a student led nonprofit dedicated to protecting the environment, one action at a time." 

He chose PPFF as beneficiary of his $1,000 summer fundraising goal - and he's 99% of the way there! 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hel...

I kinda hope we can go up there and plant a few trees with Gavyn and his fellow students!

An initiative that excites us probably more than any other (except perhaps planting trees, or expanding a trail system, or introducing someone new to a PA state forest or park) ... okay, AS MUCH as any other initiative ... is accessibility. We say we want to "ensure a place and an experience for everyone in Pennsylvania's state parks and forests." It's rewarding when someone gets out there for the first time in years - or ever!

Right now the effort to install an accessible kayak launch at Locust Lake State Park is 75% to goal. The launch will look similar to this one, minus the extra launch on the right but WITH an extended conveyor for the kayak to increase independence and ease. We just need a little bit of a push to get it over the line. If you can help, visit our donation page for the kayak launch initiative. Unless you say otherwise, the money will be earmarked for Locust Lake. Thanks!

Registration is now open for our second annual Women in the Big Woods event at French Creek State Park. Taking place at Group Camp 1 in the park on the first weekend in September (5th through 7th), WIBW offers a terrific smorgasbord of activity choices from archery to yoga. Find your comfort zone or challenge your expectations. 18 slots remain as of this writing!

Sunday is National S'Mores Day. Yum!

Photo: Kris Mattern, Parker Dam State Park (Submitted to the 2013 Parks & Forests Thru the Seasons photo contest. This little bean would now be in her late teens?!)

Speaking of grown beans, the cover lad (Jason LaVerne as photographed in 2012 by dad David) from our Happiness Over a Flame freebie cookbook (shown here) is probably a college grad by now!