MILWAUKEE — For many kids in Milwaukee, getting out into nature isn’t always easy. A nonprofit is working to change that — one bus ride at a time.
The Bus for Outdoor Access & Training program was founded by Micah Leinbach.
It provides transportation, gear and guidance for students who might not otherwise get the opportunity to explore the outdoors. His mission is simple: make nature more accessible.
“It’s big and red, and it came to us this way,” said Leinbach. “This was a donation, but we are really excited. There was so much demand for what we do.”
That demand led to “Big Red.” It’s a bus that shuttles students on camping trips, hiking excursions and outdoor retreats.
The organization partners with schools like Escuela Verde. It provides everything from tents and gear to maps and trip planning. Leinbach said it makes outdoor experiences possible for students who might not otherwise get the chance.
“I’ve gotten to see kids become better leaders, but I’ve also got to see kids learn to kind of heal and relax from a tough environment that they’re coming from,” said Leinbach“I’ve gotten to see kids become better leaders, but I’ve also got to see kids learn to kind of heal and relax from a tough environment that they’re coming from,” said Leinbach. “I got to see kids swim for the first time, see the Great Lakes for the first time.”
It’s not just the students who benefit from the program.
Teacher Laurel Cutright said the program allows teachers to connect with students outside the classroom in ways they never could before.
“This trip really gave me a chance to be with the students because I didn’t have to be the one making all of the decisions about the gear and the route and all that stuff,” said Cutright. “They took care of all that stuff, so it was way easier for me to just enjoy the experience and really be with the kids and help experience it, too.”
The program is expanding its fleet, adding two more buses to serve more students.
Leinbach said he recently wrapped up a trip with a group that hit five national parks in seven days. Inside “Big Red,” stickers cover the walls, each one marking a stop of their journey.
“Tons of memories, and you’ll actually see around me and everywhere there are stickers from every single place that we’ve been,” said Leinbach. “Every new place we go, we get a sticker. All the national parks, all the national forests, campgrounds, people that we work with, so we are always looking to add to the count.”
