July/August 2015 | 21
Two Treats in One
Andrew Misch assists a child as he attempts
to climb a tree during Sugar Camp Days.
A
t Sugar Camp Days, "you can bask in
everything maple syrup."
But, the even sweeter deal for young
attendees: the opportunity to climb a tree.
For two years, Davey has coordinated a kids'
climb activity for the annual two-day Sugar
Camp Days event at Bendix Woods County
Park. A breakfast event, maple syrup produc-
tion demonstrations and ice sculptures occupy
visitors' time throughout the weekend, but this
year the kids' climb had the longest line.
While Recruiter/Trainers Eduardo Medina
and Don Roppolo attended last year, three
volunteers from Chicago R/C operations
attended this year; their crews' tree pruning
performance on the park's living
"STUDEBAKER" sign influenced the decision
to ask them back for more involvement.
In March, Foreman Andrew Misch, Field
Production Manager Charles Shonts and
Production Manager Sean Zieche traveled to
St. Joseph County, Indiana, for a weekend of
nonstop fun at Sugar Camp Days' kids' climb.
"We worked constantly, helping kids climb
the trees," Zieche says. "We probably helped
more than 100 kids who went through the
line; we wanted to keep everyone waiting in
line happy."
While the youngest climber was only 2 years
old, the average age of participants was 10 to
12 years old. But according to Zieche, nearly
all the young climbers were eager to get in the
tree. "We placed bells at the top of the tree so
they had something to work toward," he says.
"We rooted them on the whole time."
One particular child approached Zieche near
the end of the event and made a comment
Zieche will never forget. "A kid came up to me
and said, 'I just want to thank you for support-
ing me in the tree; I didn't think I would make
it to the top,'" Zieche says. "It made my day."
Sean Zieche fastens a harness on a young
tree climber.
