Michener Award:
Chuck Collingwood

Chuck Collingwood of the Bay Chapter Snowcamping Section has been named winner of the 2009 Dave and Pat Michener Outings Leadership Award.

The Bay Chapter established the award in 2001 to commemorate the many years of volunteer service performed by the Micheners as editors of the Chapter Schedule (the predecessor of the calendar in today's Yodeler and on the Chapter web site) and to recognize superior leadership by Chapter outing leaders.

Chuck has been a Chapter outings leader for over 30 years. Chuck first learned about snow camping in 1976 through the snow-camping training of the old Snowshoe Section. He became a trip leader in 1980. He had a passion to share his love for the beauty of the mountains, and was one of the eager young firebrands (John Soubier was his chief collaborator) who founded the separate Snowcamping Section to focus on the training. The section eventually expanded the training format to include Alumni Trips as well. Chuck served as section chair for about 20 years, retiring from that role three years ago for "a break". Chuck continues as a leader of Group #3 of the Snowcamping Training Series.

Chuck's outstanding skills include the ability to visualize programs and then to organize skilled and dedicated associates to implement them. He has been effective at promoting the Chapter's unique snow-camping program.

Chuck's open and encouraging style make him a charismatic leader. Chuck's warmth makes participants feel welcome and engaged. Under his mentorship many have become ardent leaders and supporters of the Snowcamping Section, which provides the support for them to safely explore and to encourage others to build safe winter-camping skills.