SPIKE Announcements (Rounds One and Two)

This is quite a bit overdue, but I'll do my best.

Blue One's Spike One

For Blue One's first spike (11/14-12/19/13), we went to Calabasas, CA to work with the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) on an environmental stewardship project. We lived for 2 weeks in Malibu Creek State Park (MCSP), then for 11 days in Mt. Crags Camp, and the last 6 days we were back to camping in MCSP. Our Team Leader (TL) got her own tent, the 6 women lived in an 8 person tent, the boys were able to double up and each pair had their own 2 person tent. We cooked using a propane grill or an open fire at the camp site. At the Salvation Army Cabins, we had a full kitchen and slept 4 to a room. For MRT, we planted native plant species, removed invasive plant species (I now have a permanent vendetta against Smilo and Euphorbia), and set traps for, sexed, sized, and caught Louisiana Cray Fish (no, we did not get to eat the Cray Fish). We were definitely under prepared for the weather - we had been told that "It never gets cold in Southern California!" so consistently that a few members on the team did not bring their Ameri-sweatshirt, any Ameri-long sleeve t's, or full length BDUs. In fact, some of us were even lacking in long pants to sleep in. This was a critical error because we were living in the coldest part of Southern California due to the valley we were camping in at MCSP. Overall, we had an amazing time.

Blue One's Spike Two

The announcement for our second spike came early in December. Our TL set up a murder mystery for us to figure out our next location (Kestrel and Holly both thought she was just being creative, but Mira and I knew that it had to be reveal day). For our second spike (1/13-3/21/14), Blue One will be going to Vashon Island, WA to work for Camp Sealth - Camp Fire Central Pugent Sound on another environmental conservation project! Vashon Island is only a ferry ride away from Seattle, WA where most of the members of Blue One plan to visit at some point on Spike. We'll be living in cabins with kitchens and heat, which will be a lovely upgrade from camping in Malibu Creek State Park. For Camp Sealth, Blue One will be repairing 6 miles of trail, building new structures (including a recycling shed, outhouses, footbridges, water bars, and drainage ditches), assisting with reforestation work, and overhauling various facilities. Blue One is excited to learn more about Vashon Island and Washington state. This will be an exciting project and after break, we will be more than ready to start getting things done, once again, for America.

Catalina and CCC Composite Spike Two

This would be a good time to explain that I won't be going with Blue One to Vashon Island, WA. After an application and interview process, I was selected to be on a Composite Team for Round Two. I will not be with my team for the entirety of Round Two, which includes transition training. Instead, I will be joining my new Team Leader, DuVale, and 8 other Ameri-People from the 4 AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Units for a 10-week split round project. I applied for this Composite Team because I know I want to go back to school for engineering/environmental science, but I am still trying to pick a specific (hopefully job producing) major.


From 1/15-2/26/14, I'll be camping on Catalina Island doing trail work, invasive species removal, and native species planting  as well as supporting the native plant nursery for the Catalina Island Conservatory. From 2/27-3/21/14, I'll be doing storm water management and water conservation with the California Conservation Corps while I live in CCC Dorms, located in San Luis Obispo. I'm very excited to partake on this adventure with this Composite Team and to meet the challenges that will arise.