A huge thank you to Pamela and Walter for their incredible dedication and service as ITA Crew Leaders! Since first discovering ITA at an end-of-season party in Ann Morrison Park, they’ve become an essential part of our trail family—volunteering for everything from ITA events to multi-day adventures and even leading their first ITA Veterans Project last fall. This powerhouse duo brings hard work, enthusiasm, and a passion for the outdoors to every project they take on. From making lifelong friendships on the trail to meeting Idaho legend Margaret Fuller in the Sawtooths, they’ve had some unforgettable ITA experiences—and we are so grateful for their leadership and dedication to keeping Idaho’s trails open for all. Thank you, Pamela and Walter!

What is your background in? What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?

Walter is in construction and owns DeMetro Enterprises, LLC and Pamela is a personal trainer and owns Bod Squad, LLC. We moved to Boise 20 years ago. We live on the Central Rim Bench, so we walk our three dogs on the Greenbelt almost every day. We look forward to camping and hiking season when we can get out into the wild. We enjoy entertaining and cooking for our friends. Halloween is our favorite and we host a spooktacular Halloween party, complete with bonfire.

How and why did you first get involved with ITA? What are the different ways you’ve volunteered for ITA over the years?

The first time we heard of ITA, we were walking our dogs through Ann Morrison Park by the Old Timer’s shelter where the ITA end of season party was in full swing. Curious, we signed up for the email list, and have been involved with projects ever since.  Since 2017, we’ve worked the sign-up booth at several events, done one-day projects, and multi-day trips, all in south Idaho. Last fall was especially memorable for partnering up for our first ITA Veterans Project. When you combine the work ethic and the heart for service of a group of U.S. veterans, you can get a lot done while having a fun time. The diversity of the group was a mix of men and women, and a surprising mix of different ages. At the end of the day, we got to relax, watch the dark sky, and swap stories from our times in the service.

What do you like about volunteering with ITA?

After our first weekend project, we joked that we had just met “a bunch of super-motivated-overachievers,” but in reality, we’ve made some lifetime friendships from this group. We like the hard work and being certified cross-cut sawyers, but in the end what we like best are the people we meet and memories we make. We also like that volunteering with ITA is something we can do as a couple. Aside from a Women Only WOW trip, we’ve done all of this together. As Crew Leaders we’re a package deal.

Most memorable backcountry or ITA experience?

We were doing a weekend project on the trails in the Sawtooths. Returning to the trailhead after a half-day of brushing and crosscutting, and we spotted something heading our direction on the trail.  No, it wasn’t Saw-Squatch! It was the trail-blazing granny herself, award-winning author and Idaho treasure, Margart Fuller, a.k.a. the grandmother of the Sawtooths.  She wrote the first comprehensive trail guide book to any Idaho area.  Of course, we couldn’t pass up a photo opportunity. She was gracious to pose for pictures with us and others in the crew. See picture below!

Why are trails worth protecting?