Backpacker Magazine – January/February 2010

Inspirational BACKPACKER Readers

Meet five of BACKPACKER's most inspirational heroes–they're also readers.

Tags:
• Destinations
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• Skills
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• Gear
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Life Changer | Believer | Mentor | Explorer | Survivor

MENTOR
Steve Schnyders Hudsonville, MI


Leads local kids on backpacking trips. 


As a teacher, bus driver, and track coach at Hudsonville Christian School, Schnyders could be forgiven if he avoided students during summer. Instead, he takes them on hiking trips in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In the past 15 years, he has led more than 50 outings (with up to 20 kids each). “Students and parents talk about Mr. Schnyder’s hikes like a rite of passage,” says Robert Nesky, a local dad. Schnyders provides all of the gear, always sets up a special challenge, like a geocache or zipline, and maintains a hiking wiki “to remember the fun times we’ve had.” 


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