BCHC Mid Valley Unit Reasons to Join

You love the backcountry. You love horses. You'd like to pay a little back for all that they have done for you. You'd like to introduce the joys of backcountry hoseback riding to the next generation. You'd like to work to conserve backcountry wilderness, protect stock users' historic use of the wilderness and educate the public about "Leave No Trace" wilderness use. Are there more resaons to join the BCHC? Here are some:

	We're a great bunch of people. We laugh a lot and we're not stuck-up. There isn't much joy in doing good with a group of people you can't stand. We're down-to-earth and friendly. Left: Michael King and Rich Kirchner at the Fall Play Day. Right: 2008 Unit President CJ Hargreaves helping clean up at the Columbia Christmas Parade.
	Expert Training. We work closely with the US Forest Service. They offer classes for volunteers. You can learn how to do things you never dreamed of doing before. Left: Cross-cut saw training class. (Chain saws are not allowed in wilderness areas; back to Paul Bunyan.) Right: Carl Perry and Joel Morken clearing a trail near Huckleberry Lake.
	Strength in Numbers. Whether you are refurbishing a camp, clearing a trail, lobbying for (or against) a new Forest Service policy, or teaching a class on Leave No Trace to high school students, you do better in a group. We have 300 members in the Mid Valley Unit, more than 3,000 across the state. We work together. Left: Donna Peterson, Manuel De Oliveira, Darla Coelho and Nancy Gross setting a fire ring. Right: Riding together.
	Beautiful Country. If you are going to work for the common good, what better place than the Sierra Nevada? We have work parties in some of the prettiest places in the state. Left: Huckleberry Lake. 'Nuff said. Right: East side of the Sierra, near Ebbetts Pass.
	We're great cooks. People who camp with horses and mules, for work parties or for pleasure, can carry Dutch ovens. Our Dutch oven cooks can whip up a gourmet meal in the middle of the wilderness. Left: Pecan-crusted dessert. Right: Chicken stew.
	Pass it on. We give you the chance to teach the next generation how to pack with horses and mules, how to treat the wilderness gently and how to cook with a Dutch oven. Left: Carl Perry demonstrating how to pack an iron mule to 4-H students. Right: Lloyd Erlandson demonstrating the same thing, with a real mule, to an MJC Class.