"I was overjoyed to hear that the summer she turned nine was to be the first summer HoWL was expanding their day trip program to include younger kids. I signed her up for every trip she was eligible for. She joined the DiRtBaG service crew and repaired fences at the Land Trust; painted tire planters at the REC room; and spent whole days picking up trash from the trails and beaches around town. She was surrounded by a group of competent, responsible (and more importantly extremely cool and fun) guides who challenged her and joked with her and included her in their passion for Homer’s wilderness. She was with friends but also with older peers. Kids who had a few years of HoWL under their belts and were fully invested in the ethics of the organization. Empowering leaders. Creating community. Nurturing a responsibility for the environment while engaging kids in the sheer joy of living where we do. This was what I felt unprepared to be able to provide for my kids by myself, and I jokingly referred to HoWL as Bea’s third parent for those first three summers." -Susannah Webster, HoWL mom since 2014
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William (Wild Bill) Richard DeVries
On August 9th 2018 Homer lost a friend, HoWL lost a supporter and Alaska lost a consummate outdoorsman. William (Wild Bill) DeVries, AKA “Wild Bill,” lived to strap on a pack full of gear and explore Alaska’s backcountry. On foot, skis, or snowshoes Bill was up for a trip — especially off trail — alpine or arctic territory. When he couldn’t be out there he was likely hatching plans for the next trek. It seems like some of us must have walked almost every drainage and ridgeline on the northern Kenai Peninsula with him. When friends weren’t able to go, Bill would do it solo.
Bill was a supporter of youth and upon his death made a very generous donation to HoWL. We would like to say thanks and salute Wild Bill for his service and support. The legacy of Wild Bill will live on in the countless youth that go afield every year with HoWL to build a passion for the outdoors!
On August 9th 2018 Homer lost a friend, HoWL lost a supporter and Alaska lost a consummate outdoorsman. William (Wild Bill) DeVries, AKA “Wild Bill,” lived to strap on a pack full of gear and explore Alaska’s backcountry. On foot, skis, or snowshoes Bill was up for a trip — especially off trail — alpine or arctic territory. When he couldn’t be out there he was likely hatching plans for the next trek. It seems like some of us must have walked almost every drainage and ridgeline on the northern Kenai Peninsula with him. When friends weren’t able to go, Bill would do it solo.
Bill was a supporter of youth and upon his death made a very generous donation to HoWL. We would like to say thanks and salute Wild Bill for his service and support. The legacy of Wild Bill will live on in the countless youth that go afield every year with HoWL to build a passion for the outdoors!