Nature's Escape
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to take stock of what I took for granted in my everyday life: a steady job, a social life, a freedom to roam. It is these simple parts of my previous life that I miss most. However, this crisis has also forced me to reflect on how so many others across our world have lived much of their lives without these luxuries that I have long considered essential. What else have I taken for granted? These are questions I pondered deeply during a recent challenge I posed to myself while quarantining in Maine.
When things started to get serious with the COVID-19 epidemic, I knew right away that escaping to nature would be my saving grace. I had recently left my desk job in Boston, risking financial security for a new impactful direction in my career. I moved home to Maine to weather the quarantine in a familiar place as I continued my search. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind, I found myself with something I had gone long without: spare time.
Most of us have that one thing that we have always wanted to do, but never had the time. For me, that thing happens to be fly fishing. As an avid outdoorsman, I am always searching for new ways to experience nature, and I have always been fascinated by the seemingly rhythmic nature of this sport. Moreover, fly fishing seemed like a perfect challenge to tackle considering its low risk nature and close-to-home access. So last month, I donned my protective mask and marched into an eerily empty Cabela's to pick up a cheap fly rod. I headed straight to the river, brimming with confidence, soon to be traded for humility.
I spent evenings reading about tying leaders and tippets, nymphs vs streamers, and the types of fish that populate my local waters, preparing myself for the early morning ahead. Through countless lost flies, a few flooded rubber boots, and a handful of painful hooks through my finger, I carried on, determined to catch that first fish. Although to this day I don't have a victory story to tell you, I did discover something even more important through this process. I felt my story needed to be shared on this blog in case others could relate.
From the first day I started fishing, I walked clueless and confident straight down to the river. It was an easy drive for me to get there, and I already owned all the cold weather gear to be comfortable on the freezing river. I looked downstream and saw other people who looked like me and the sounds of the running water and birds chirping gave me great comfort. As I stood there, rhythmically casting back and forth, I considered all of the factors that lead me to this moment. Why is it so easy for me to access these public lands, and why do I instantly feel a sense of belonging here? I had never done this before, no one was teaching me how, and yet I was already hooked. The answer, of course, was obvious, and it made me think long and hard about the importance of the work Elevate Youth is doing everyday.
Through my volunteer work with Elevate Youth, we are giving underserved kids in Boston the chance to gain critical life skills, develop confidence in themselves, and reap the incredible lifelong benefits that nature can provide. By breaking down barriers of access and exposing urban youth to the outdoors, we hope to impact their lives so they feel more included, more comfortable, and more prepared to become the next generation of environmental stewards. I feel blessed to be involved, and encourage others to consider doing the same.
While attending trips with Elevate Youth has been an incredible experience for me, what truly brings tears to my eyes is the thought that our work will someday give a child the confidence to experience nature on their own. To grab a fly rod, walk down to the river, and feel that same sense of relaxation that came so naturally to me. As COVID-19 rapidly changes our world, keeping many people locked inside, I like to think our programming has encouraged a few to journey into their local woods and waters, breath that fresh air and feel safe.
It's not about the number of fish you catch. It's about being there, feeling like you belong, and having nature as an escape. Thank you to Elevate Youth for the work you do, and for reminding me to never take the outdoors for granted.
by Cam Regan, Elevate Youth Development Committee Member & EY Volunteer