Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: What are the biggest rewards of working with at-risk youth? Scott Johnson: I'm tempted to say that the smiles and laugher are reward enough. At a higher level, I really enjoy being afforded the opportunity to try to positively impact these young lives. The kids are absolutely great.

SFP Editor: How did you learn about Sierra Club Inner City Outings program (ICO)?

Scott Johnson: I was introduced to ICO by a friend. She asked one day if I had anything fun to do on the coming Saturday afternoon, and if I would like to join on an outing. I was initially reluctant, having not had much experience working with kids at that time. I'm really happy I signed on.

SFP Editor: What is Beacon House?

Scott Johnson: Beacon House is a neighborhood-based organization supporting at-risk youth aged 5 to 18 and their families in the Edgewood Terrace community in Ward 5 in northeast Washington, D.C. Beacon House offers educational, cultural, recreational and athletic programs to the community it serves. ICO is only one among many partner organizations that helps administer such programs.

Founded in 1991, Beacon House provides a wide range of opportunities to increase high school graduation rates, eventual involvement in higher education, access to vocational training or other productive paths for community youth. Each year, Beacon House serves over 300 youth through after school and summer academic enrichment, mentoring, cultural, athletic and outreach programs, each of which is carefully selected and developed in order to ensure that each program offers optimal opportunities for individual achievement. If you want to learn more, there is a wealth of additional information at Beacon House.

SFP Editor: What are the biggest challenges of working with at-risk youth?

Scott Johnson: As I mentioned, when I first became involved with ICO, I had very little experience working with youth. I would imagine everyone involved faces different challenges, but for me, it took time to get to a point where I could really think like a kid again. Trying to remember what I required to be stimulated, what held my interest, how I responded to adults I interacted with, etc. Trying to present information to our groups in an engaging and informative way that remains manageable, while trying to stay on their level, can be quite challenging.

SFP Editor: What are the biggest rewards of working with at-risk youth?

Scott Johnson: I'm tempted to say that the smiles and laugher are reward enough. At a higher level, I really enjoy being afforded the opportunity to try to positively impact these young lives. The kids are absolutely great.

SFP Editor: Describe the most rewarding experience you have had with ICO?

Scott Johnson: On a recent overnight camping trip, our group was on a long walk to go for a swim at Point Lookout, Maryland. I had been discussing with another leader various issues related to energy efficiency and emerging technologies that have potential to help reduce our dependency on imported oil. After a few minutes of silence, one of our kids started asking me some extremely intelligent questions on the subject. I was ecstatic that he took an interest, and in an area in which I was able to contribute. We talked about it for most of the rest of the walk to the beach.

SFP Editor: Do you have a favorite place in the DC area to take kids from Beacon House?

Scott Johnson: My favorite day trip is our annual excursion to the Billy Goat Trail. The kids (and the kid in me) love scrambling up and down the rocks. The hike is a comfortable distance for the kids and with respect to aesthetics, it's one of the prettier places close to the city I am aware of. We also take two overnight camping trips each year, usually in July and September. For those, I love Wye Island, Maryland. Canoeing, deep dark sky at night, and the quiet. Can’t beat it.

SFP Editor: What are your goals as the new ICO New Volunteer Coordinator?

Scott Johnson: As the new volunteer coordinator for our Washington group, my primary goals are: (1) to be an effective communicator of information about our program, various outings groups and fundraising activities, (2) to reach and involve as many potential new volunteers as possible to keep our support network strong and growing and (3) to make getting involved as easy as possible for anyone interested in participating.

SFP Editor: What brought you to the DC area?

Scott Johnson: I came to D.C. in 2002, immediately following my graduation from Colgate University, to begin work as a Paralegal in the Energy, Land-Use and Environment group of a law firm downtown. July 31, in fact, was my last day in that position, but I will continue as a Law Clerk in the same practice while I attend law school at American University. What tips do you have for folks interested in leading ICO volunteer activities? Only one. GET INVOLVED! Send me an e-mail at WashingtonDCICO@gmail.com I can provide links to information about ICO, upcoming events and how to get involved, whether just as an outing volunteer or as a potential new leader.