How it all started...a letter from Ms. Tonn

The Good the Came Out of Covid

In the fall of 2020, in order to curb the spread of Covid-19, the School District of Lodi started the academic year completely online and without any co-curricular offerings for students.  It was a difficult time for everyone, especially for kids craving social interaction and a break from sitting on computers. We needed to do something real, together, while staying healthy. Inspired by the Summer Saunters Program, the brainchild of Ice Age Trail Executive Director, Luke Kloberdanz and School District of Lodi educator, Chris McNeil, I had an idea for an after-school hiking club. In November 2020, the Lodi Board of Education approved my pilot proposal for a Middle School Hiking Club for grades 6-8.  The plan was to hike on Wednesdays after school on trails around Lodi, no matter the weather, through the remainder of the school year. Students' families would provide transportation, since bussing was limited due to Covid safety protocols.  

Only trusting my intuition, I had no idea if anyone would actually sign up. The results were better than I could have anticipated. Thirty-eight total students joined the club that first year.  Since Lodi has graduating classes of just over 100, this number is remarkable.  I realized I needed help. As usual in schools, the office staff saved the day. My fearless, first follower and co-advisor was Jessie Lane, one of our Administrative Assistants at the time. With an average of 17 participants a week, we hiked 26 times from Nov. 11, 2020 to May 26, 2021.  That's 450 total hikers averaging two and a half miles a week equalling over 29,000 total miles hiked!

At the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, I was unsure if the club would remain popular given that “normal” activities were resuming.  Plenty of kids joined (43 hikers) and the Board of Education approved to fund our club as a formal co-curricular offering.  Thank you to Superintendent Vince Breunig, then Middle School Principal, Joe Prosek, and the Lodi Board of Education for taking a chance on what was and is best for kids.  Also, in an era of extreme bus driver shortages we've had two amazing "regular" drivers, Tim Klade and Jim Bechen. With their loyalty and the troubleshooting skills of Christine at Kobussen, our club is made possible.  Lots of things had to come together in order to sustain Trail Trekkers, and I'm thankful to all the people who contributed.

I am happy to report that club continues going strong. Along with the Summer Saunters hiking program, Trail Trekkers has inspired school-year hiking clubs for Lodi's K-5 students and High Schoolers as well.

Why Hiking Club?

Trail Trekkers champions fitness that is inherently cooperative, low-stress, adventurous, and long term.  When students walk outside without competitive performance expectations, there is a lot of room for friendship building. It also teaches them that getting your body moving is a healthy choice that doesn’t have to involve sports. Hiking is a hobby people can pursue for their whole lives. Further, children are exposed to natural play less and less as technology dominates our world. Many times students we hike with have never been to trails that are right in our backyard. Finding accessible wild places is important for mental health as well as physical.  Finally, teaching kids the skills of finding public lands that are open to their recreation, as well as the “leave no trace” ethic of conservation, are crucial lessons in citizenship.  Our Lodi community has a wealth of beautiful public lands. Trail Trekkers builds and maintains the trails on which we hike to learn the importance of stewardship and volunteerism. 

Hiking Culture Grows in Lodi

In 2024, soon after the Ice Age Trail received Unit Designation from the US National Parks Service, the Lodi School District became the first K-12 School District to be designated an Ice Age Trail Campus. We in Lodi are proud of the coordinated efforts among the Ice Age Trail & National Park Service, the local chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, The School District of Lodi, The City of Lodi, the Lodi Golf Club, and Lodi Varsity Cross Country Coach, Kurt Wilson to have an Ice Age Trail Segment right on school grounds.   Trail Trekkers, along with our partners, is an integral part of growing "hiker identity" and place-centered learning in our hometown. 

Lastly, thank you to the financial sponsors that made our club possible: The taxpayers of the School District of Lodi, Sauk Prairie Hospital Foundation, the Lodi Optimists, and Kwik Trip.

Hike long and ponder, Trekkies!