Disappointment

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let you know that I will not be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer. I was supposed to fly into Nairobi, Kenya and drive to Tanzania; from there where we would start our climb.

Unfortunately, Nairobi has been victim to two series of terrorist bombings in the last two weeks and a travel warning has, again, been placed on Kenya. The US government is looking to reduce and pull out some of our Embassy members there as well. Because of these recent events, our climb will be cancelled. At this point, I would like to donate all contributions to Camp Tecumseh camp scholarships.

I want to sincerely thank all of you for your excitement, encouragement, and believing in me.  Please see links below if you would like to read more about the happenings in Kenya.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/04/kenya-bus-bombing-nairobi-thika-highway

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27443474

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/kenya-travel-warning.html

Vaccinations

So, you have to get the Yellow Fever vaccination to go to Africa. Who would have thought that that vaccination would be hard to find in Northwest Indiana? Apparently, a lot of people here go to Africa. Huh. Again, a learning experience. Not everywhere carries the Yellow Fever vaccination, and those that do are allotted 20 ever 120 days. I've been searching for it since January with no luck, so when the Lake County Health Department told me they have a few now, I rushed over. Those of you that know me know that needles are my biggest fear in life (not climbing mountains :), so when they told me that I needed to get Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Polio, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B, I started sweating. The room started spinning when they told me what would happen if I didn't get each vaccination and caught each various disease. Yikes! Well, six vaccinations later and two sore arms, I'm really ready now!

Gear check and medicine

The more I learn about this adventure, I have to laugh! You are pretty much on your own as far as medical, so it's better to have everything just in case. I called my doctor to get some medicines take with me. When I asked her if she could prescribe an altitude medicine for my Africa trip, she replied, "What are you doing there, climbing Kilimanjaro". "Actually, yes," was my answer. She had to do some research and call me back. I guess not many people ask her for altitude medicine here in Northwest Indiana :). I was going through what gear I had tonight to see what I might need to rent out there or buy before I leave. My husband got quite a kick out of me trying to stuff extra layers of clothes into my daypack, and me putting on my fleece and pack to see how it all feels. I think I've read more reviews on various gear from rain pants to water bottles that I could probably get hired at REI just from my web searching knowledge now. I love it!

Plane Ticket, check.

Well, my plane ticket is purchased and there's no turning back! I leave June 29th and get back July 14th. I cannot wait!!

Donation Opportunities

All extra proceeds will go toward Camp Tecumseh camperships (they give 10 already to our 5th graders to go to their summer camp for free!). There are a few ways you could help if you choose:
• Donate directly at http://www.gofundme.com/6oqf6k
• Jalapeños Tuesday, March 18th 8pm Karaoke for Kilimanjaro (thank you Ashley Halpern!). Raffle tickets are $10 to win $500 gift card to Albert’s jewelers, a Pro-Fit Fitness package, a Spa Envy gift certificate, and more. Let me know if you would like to buy one, and I would love it if you could be there! Need not be present to win.
• Thirty-One party (thanks Anne Casko!). You can order online at:www.mythirtyone.com/annecasko/ Click on "shop with Anne Casko", then "place an order" at the top. Then you will see my name under "shop online." Next to my name, click on "shop now." Stay tuned for an invite too.
• Uppercase Living party (thank you Carolyn Polomchak!). You can order online at: carolynpolomchak.uppercaseliving.net . When you get to her website, click “Products” and begin to shop. You’ll be asked to register before you check out, and you’ll have the chance to associate your order with my open house: Indiana Teacher Abroad-Amy Harrington. On-line orders will require a credit card, and your order will ship directly to you in about two weeks.
Feel free to share, and let me know if you have any questions.

Fundraising Has Started!

Doing lots of preparation for fundraising!!! There are quite a few things in the works, and I'm amazing by how generous and helpful people are! Fundraising is so new to me, but I have incredible people leading me in the right direction. It's terrifying, but the end result will be the top of the highest peak in Africa!! That is motivation enough! Awesome learning experience!!

Donate here!

http://www.gofundme.com/6oqf6k
This link will take you to my donation page. Please share my page and donate! Thank you!!

How It's All Happening...

A friend of mine climbed Kilimanjaro last year and is going again this year along with about 10 other people, so I'm joining them. I figure this might be the one summer I could get away before my boys get too involved in activities, and my husband and I are both home. I sort of wrote it off at first, but the more I thought about it, the more things fell into place. I feel like life's too short to wait. 
So far, I've learned a TON about the vaccinations I need. Lots of shots. Yikes! I'm fundraising too and am slowly learning about that. I'm blessed with very knowledgeable people in my life that are helping me with this aspect. I have a feeling I'll keep learning! I can't wait!

A little information...

                My name is Amy Harrington, and I am a 4th grade teacher, mom, coach, runner, cyclist and triathlete.  I continually try to encourage my students, children, and friends to set goals, reach high, and get moving by telling them about my own training, races, challenges, and inviting them to join me! I believe strongly in leading by example. I have run numerous races including two half marathons, completed several triathlons, and done a century bike ride. I have always had a love for the outdoors which was sparked when I was a camper and then counselor at Camp Tecumseh, located in Brookston, Indiana. I have a passion for travel, meeting new people, and experiencing new places.

I have always wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro because it is, not only incredibly beautiful, but also the people are so passionate about their culture. I am planning on climbing the mountain this summer in hopes to, not fulfill a dream, but to also help children experience new things a little closer to home.  I'm fundraising for this trip and part of  the donations will go toward Camp Tecumseh’s camperships. Camp Tecumseh is a YMCA summer camp, and its camperships allow children that would not be able to afford a summer camp experience a chance to go to camp on a scholarship.  I was a camper and counselor at Camp Tecumseh and this is where my love for meeting people, trying new things, and finding a love for nature started. I would like to continue growing in this way by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro while giving the summer camp experience to a child that would not be able to go otherwise.

         Also, I’m looking forward to climbing with porters and guides who help make the experience that much more enjoyable as they include history and speak the language in their native tongue and talk the culture with you. I have a group that I will be climbing with that includes a few veterans to the climb.

Here I go!!

I've been invited to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa this summer. So cool!! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm excited to go! I've already learned a ton about what it takes to get there and make the climb. Right now, I'm learning a lot about fundraising to help get me there! Stay tuned!