A club formed last year to diversify hikers on the portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail that runs through Beaver and Lawrence counties is growing.
The Center Hiking Club has 15 members, with more to be added this year.
From June to October, club founder Yvette Jester takes a group of children from The Center ministry in Midland, Beaver County, on weekly hikes of 2 to 4 miles.
They learn to identify plants and participate in scavenger hunts, including geocaching.
"We look for a fun element to bring onto the trail," she said. "The trail is the same, but we'll use different entry points.
"It's a great opportunity for people to get outdoors."
Dave Brewer, trail coordinator of the Wampum Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, said the club was an outgrowth of a push several years ago by the association to provide outdoor recreation to more diverse segments of the population.
The longest in the National Trails System, North Country stretches 4,800 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont.
"They asked the chapters to give some thought to developing diversity strategies," Mr. Brewer said. "The Wampum Chapter, under the leadership of chapter president Dennis Garrett and diversity chairperson Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz, was the first to develop a diversity statement, which was subsequently adopted by the national organization."
The chapter is responsible for 130 miles from eastern Ohio through Darlington, Beaver County, and Wampum, Lawrence County, to McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County. With no major urban areas on the route, the chapter relies on Ms. Jester, its hiking chairperson, to get groups from The Center to experience the trail, as well as arranging hikes through groups such as Outdoor Afro, a national network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature.
"Where there's a hike, she's usually leading it and finding ways to introduce new groups to the benefits outdoor recreation offers," Mr. Brewer said.
Ms. Jester, 52, of Columbiana, Ohio, the food service director at Midland Elementary-Middle School, founded the club in memory of The Center co-founder Cory Miller, who died unexpectedly in December 2020.
Ms. Jester said she became close to him bagging meals as a volunteer.
"Cory loved the outdoors and had compassion for youth," she said.
The Center executive director Jen Miller, who began the nonprofit with her husband, said she loves the club because it gives kids a chance to exercise, explore and be with amazing mentors.
"Many of the students had not had such experiences hiking in the past," she said. "It helps by providing healthy avenues socially and emotionally."
Mary Checca, of Midland, said her sons Mason and Maddox McClain, eighth and seventh graders, respectively, in the Midland School District, loved going to different trails, learning about different plants and going on a field trip to a wildlife center.
Ms. Jester recently took on a new responsibility, sweeping the trail for the Hike 4 Kidz event the Wampum Chapter and the Knights of Columbus Council 604 will sponsor April 30, rain or shine.
People of all ages are invited to walk on a section just east of Enon Valley, Lawrence County. In a new wrinkle, they are encouraged to hike with a priest, or in support of a priest or church of their choice.
Proceeds will go to McGuire Memorial special education school and St. Monica Catholic Academy, both in Beaver County, as well as St. Anthony School Programs for special education in Franklin Park.
Mr. Garrett, who is organizing the fundraiser, said Ms. Jester is dynamic.
"She has energy and creative ideas for hikes and events and works to make them happen," he said.
For more on the club, visit midlandcenter.org. For more on Hike 4 Kidz, go to facebook.com/hike4kidz or call Mr. Garrett at 724-827-2350.
Karen Kadilak is a regular contributor: goodness@post-gazette.com.
First Published: April 24, 2022, 10:00 a.m.