2025 Trip Reports
North Fork Skokomish River (June 6th - 8th)
We had lots of fun backpacking along the North Fork of the Skokomish River in the Olympics! While this trip was not what was originally planned and much more casual, we still enjoyed all the river crossings. Highlights included seeing two bears, sliding on patches of snow, and playing cribbage at camp.
Blake Island Sea Kayaking (May 31st - June 1st)
Five fantastic ROAM youth and two amazing movers kayaked to and camped on Blake Island over the weekend! We started with our standard safety overview and practiced self rescues. We then launched the doubles and a single from West Seattle Saturday morning and had a lovely 5 mile paddle to the island. On Blake we enjoyed watching for wildlife- like racoons, seals, and even orcas- playing rounds of Anomia, s’mores around a campfire, and a stunning sunset! Movers and shakers worked together to prepare a gluten free menu for all participants that turned out delicious too.
Sunday morning we ate a hearty breakfast of gluten free oatmeal with toppings, and set out under the day’s sunshine. We completed a circumnavigation of Blake and then set out across the channel back to Seattle! On the way, we soaked in Mt. Rainier looming above us, and passed a sea lion lounging on a buoy! The trip ended up being $30 each, but will likely be less next time because we learned how we can better budget for food and hopefully there will be lots more youth to divvy up costs to! Blake Island was an amazing destination for all levels, new and experienced, and pretty easy to put together, ROAM will definitely go again!
Methow Rafting (May 23rd - 26th)
Over Memorial Day weekend, 19 ROAMers went on a rafting trip to the amazing Methow river! We had a super fun time with our two brand new rafts, as well as a few inflatable kayaks! We even ran the river THREE TIMES on Sunday, and drove home Monday morning! This was a fun trip with a lot of younger members gaining some river skills, and preparing to lead trips in the future!
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Backpacking (May 17th - 18th)
Seven amazing ROAM youth got to explore the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail this May! It was a fantastic quick getaway from the city with lots of wildlife and lush forest exploring! We met Elise, the iconic deer/marsupial/rabbit (most likely deer), and a woodpecker! Although it rained the entire time, we still had fun and learned a lot! We learned the important stuff, like not hanging the bear bag over a temporarily dry river bed in the rain, but also some equally crucial but somewhat unrelated stuff like that we have some telepathic youth, through our game of contact. We camped on the river after a 6 mile hike in, and hiked out the next day. The menu consisted of delicious curry and rice, and a valiant effort at a cake over a camp stove! We would absolutely go on this trail again!
Oregon Dunes Camping (April 12th - 15th)
We went to the Oregon sand dunes, the drive was long (7.5 hours) but planning meet-ups helps. The activities consisted of walking around, playing games on the dunes and jumping off of them, hiking to the ocean etc.
What did we really like:
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Location was great, people enjoyed the dunes
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Hike to the beach was a good activity, frisbee there was fun
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Timing dinner so we could go up to see the sunset was great, the sunsets were super pretty
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Good turnout, lots of participants and new recruits
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The general store across the road to get snacks and ice cream