RAISING A NEW GENERATION OF NATURE-LOVERS
PARTICIPANTS gathered at Oak Tree Park in Alsancak last Saturday, from where they headed off on the first part of the trek in two groups: Mouflons, taking a route for experienced hikers, and the family-friendly Goats.
About 70 people, half of them children, followed the Goats route for four hours through Malatya to Ilgaz, during which the children took part in the scavenger hunt, collecting items for 14 clues while also gathering rubbish from the trail.
They met up at the camp near Ilgaz with the rest of the party, including 12 children, who had taken the harder route, trekking through rough terrain.
Food was cooked, while the children played games and then took part in training with the First Aid For All group. The campers turned in for the night after musical entertainment by one of the party, Barış Refiker.
Sunday’s two-and-a-half-hour journey back to Oak Tree Park, said to be the toughest part of the walk, culminated in the holding of a raffle, tombola, silent auction and awards ceremony at which trophies were given to the scavenger hunt winners and all of the children received participation medals and certificates from the Kemal Saraçoğlu Foundation and First Aid For All.
Organiser Çağan Sarıoğlu said the prizegiving had been a highlight for him. “It was a blessed moment to see the kids’ faces light up with such joy and honour at achieving something great.
“We are happy that we have raised a new generation of nature-lovers who will be sensitive and aware of the need to protect our environment, while also learning about others who are in need.
“We have already started to think of next year’s campsite as we want to relive this unforgettable experience again with everyone.”
The Sarıoğlus expressed thanks to all who had joined in, singling out also those who had given home-baked cakes and donated raffle prizes, along with Mustafa Oralman “for his amazing energy and organisation throughout the whole
weekend”; Adem Bayman and his first aid team, Brian McCreath, Glen and Gail Quelch; Alsancak Municipality for providing transport, a van for equipment and sandwiches; Fevzi Arıcılar of Fasdat Food for supplying a barbecue and soft drinks; Ufuk Tony Taşkıran of Tiga Trading for sponsoring medals and trophies; and Önersul Leblebicioğlu of Pasha Group for donating two prizes.