Kayla Webre:

“It’s a story that’s going to become part of my life.”

We hired Kayla Webre of Brookings, OR back in May because it sounded like she had a flexible attitude. Since then she’s spent three weekends on the trail learning the basics of backcountry travel.

She says she applied for the opportunity after hearing about her parents’ experiences in the Forest Service. “It’s a story that’s going to become a part of my life,” she says.

Kayla is 19, a pre-nursing student at Linn Benton Community College in Albany. ”

Kayla appreciates the wilderness. “As a young, broke college student whose possessions could fit in a single suitcase, the idea of owning part of something so large is pretty profound,” she says. “The wilderness is part of our culture.”

She says the only thing that makes her nervous is “waking up sore, and getting into shape. I can’t wait to get into the swing of things.”

She’ll spend at least four weeks this summer working on stewardship projects in wilderness areas throughout southwestern Oregon. By the time her hitches are done fall classes will open for registration.

Nursing school is competitive. “Hopefully I get into an undergrad program at Southern Oregon University,” she says.