Summer 2020 Trips Cancelled

Due to many changes and uncertainties around COVID-19, we have canceled all planned summer 2020 programs.

Several things have brought us to this decision, primarily the risk of bringing individuals from different households to one gathering while the virus is still present. The Manitou Island Transit is also not running boats this season, eliminating any possibility of running our two Manitou Trips. Also, the National Park Service has issued this statement:

"Visitor facilities at Pictured Rocks including visitor centers, drive-in & backcountry campgrounds, most restrooms, and access to drinking water will be closed to visitors until at least June 25, 2020." 

Although our trip takes place later, the uncertainty around an extension of this closure and the parameters under which the Lakeshore might allow groups to operate make it logistically unreasonable for us to plan on running. While this is disappointing, we're keeping our heads held high. At Origin, one of our values is in having a tolerance for adversity. When presented with an unexpected challenge, our goal is to find new, innovative ways to work together and overcome obstacles so that we come out stronger on the other side. 

I am designing other programs to help get folks outside while working with the behavior of this pandemic. These could look like condensed, day-long courses or shortened backpacking trips at more accessible venues such as Nordehouse Dunes. One thing I am considering is offering a scholarship for an entire household to attend a trip. I cannot say with certainty when these programs will happen; it's a matter of what the State of Michigan, National Park Service, and Department of Natural Resources deem safe for programs like ours. I hope that we can at least run a handful of events before the winter of 2020.

I will update the blog as these programs develop. In the meantime, our community at Origin continues to be grateful for everyone's support and looks forward to brighter days ahead!

- Joe