Hikin' Hornets Prepare for Trip

The Hikin’ Hornets are preparing for their annual trip. This year, 14 high school students, chaperones and Group Leader Claudia Brown will head to Florida in April.

The 38-year old non-profit program was started by former North Reading vice principal and history teacher Charlie Jones. Brown took over as their group leader in 2002. The Hikin’ Hornets usually go west, last year they stopped in Washington, Oregon and California. They camped, made their own food and did their own laundry.

This year, the Hikin’ Hornets will fly to Ft. Meyers, Florida on April 13 and will return on April 22. They will use Claudia Brown’s residence in Bonita Springs as a base camp. Their tentative itinerary includes a trip to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, kayaking and biking at Lovers Key State Park, a tour of Everglade city, a trip to the new Red Sox Spring Training park, a dolphin watch and wildlife cruise, a drive to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Blair Audubon Center in the heart of the Western Everglades, a day at Busch Gardens and more.

Students do a lot of work before going on a trip including interviewing with Brown, writing a 600-word essay, reciting the Gettysburg Address, mapping the itinerary and fundraising. They also have jobs on the trip such as cooking, truck packing, snack duty and journal writing.

“It is a fabulous life experience for these young adults; my son went west twice, he loved it so much. They do prep work before the trip, learning about the places they'll visit, so it's very educational, as well,” said resident Kerstin March.

Students are not allowed to have their cell phones on the trip, something Brown says she takes a lot of pride in. Not having cell phones allows the students to really get to know each other. 

“We have more fun than you could possible imagine,” Brown said.

If you are interested in going on the trip next summer, contact Brown at claudia-brown@comcast.net.