On Saturday, Sept. 6, the Archie Williams Team Academy hosted its biannual car wash fundraiser event to raise money for future backpacking trips. The fundraiser kicked off at 9 a.m. in the Devonshire parking lot at Archie Williams. The event also included a bake sale to gather additional funds.
Team, one of the two academies at Archie Williams, is a two-year program designed for juniors and seniors. It provides alternative learning experiences through courses in Wilderness Medicine, backpacking, hiking, internships, and other hands-on opportunities. Team Wilderness Medicine, Workplace Learning, and Leadership teacher Diana Goldberg believes that the program has a powerful impact on its students.
“This program is so special in today’s times, when we’re so technology-driven. Students don’t take phones on our trips. [Instead,] they’re really present, working together, and learning in such a unique way,” Goldberg said.
The funds from the car wash will help support Team’s upcoming backpacking trips. Goldberg highlights the expensive element of these trips.
“I would say our biggest expense [is] transportation. We rent vans for the trips, and then we hire four to five additional [Wilderness First Responder-certified] backpacking guides to come with us on the trips,” Goldberg said.
Alongside the car wash, the fundraiser featured a bake sale with cookies, donuts, and a bike-powered blender, where customers made smoothies by pedaling. Team students signed up for morning or afternoon shifts and rotated between washing, cashiering, and running the bake sale. Senior Team student Zara Prime identifies ways Team was able to garner attention for the event.
“People post [the car wash] on social media. We invite our family, friends, and neighbors. And, we have a few signs [advertising the] car wash on the road,” Zara said.
Offering car washes for 15 to 20 dollars, depending on the car’s size, the event attracted a range of customers. Ben Palmer, a customer and father of senior Team student Claire Palmer, felt that this year’s turnout was much stronger compared to last fall’s car wash fundraiser.
“It looks like there’s a bigger turnout today [than last year]. [The car wash] seems to be pretty busy, so it’s good,” Palmer said.
This year’s turnout was likely due to increased social media promotion, word of mouth, and more signs posted out front, which helped attract more business. Favorable weather also contributed, unlike last year, when rain kept many away and prevented them from seeing the students’ efforts in full swing.
“It’s so nice for [the Team students] to be out in the community, for people to see what Team is, and that [students are] willing to work to gain the privilege of going on these trips and learning together in this unique way,” Goldberg said.
The car wash concluded at one p.m. after four hours of business. The funds will help Team finance their upcoming backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada mountain range from Sept. 17 to 26.
