(SOLD OUT) Overnight Angel Island Tour

SOLD OUT 

What better way to immerse yourself in Angel Island’s history than by backpacking your way into it. This is a two day/one night backpacking trip on Angel Island. 

Originally home to the Coast Miwok Native Americans, Angel Island eventually got its name from a Spanish explorer in 1775. Nearly 140 years later, it became known as "Ellis Island of the West”, although it functioned very differently from its New York counterpart. While Ellis Island served as a processing center primarily for European immigrants who faced relatively few obstacles when it came to entering the United States, by contrast, many of the immigrants who came through Angel Island during 1910-1940, were from Asian countries, primarily China, and were subjected to lengthy interrogations, months to years long detentions, unsanitary conditions and separation from their spouses and children - due in part to the rising anti-Asian sentiment that originated with the start of the California Gold Rush.  Those who were forced to stay in detention often wrote poems of sorrow, anger and hope on the walls, which are still legible today. 

Before Angel Island was an immigration station it was used to quarantine and screen passengers and their baggage prior to landing on U.S. soil.During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were detained at the Immigration Station before being sent to facilities further inland.With the outbreaks of WWI and WWII, thousands of troops both returning and embarking for conflicts around the world were processed through Angel Island. In the '50s and '60s, it was home to a Nike missile base. It was the military's last occupation of the island and there are still remnants of old military bunkers throughout. 

Our trip begins at the Tiburon Ferry Station, which will take us to the island. From there, we will walk 1.5 miles with our camping gear on our backs. We will set up camp and take a short walk to the Immigration Station for a self guided tour. We will see the ruins of old military bunkers and abandoned buildings. Our walk will lead us to the top of the hill, with unobstructed views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The next morning we will pack up and hike out, taking the ferry back to Tiburon. 

Space is limited to 24 people (students, parents, chaperones) 

*This event is not approved by IEM Charter (South Sutter, Ocean Grove, Sky Mountain)