12-year-old undertakes ‘trip of a lifetime’

Karsen Walker may only be 12, but in a few days he will be standing tall on the same podium that has held world-famous Olympic athletes.

Chosen to attend the People to People Sports Leadership Academy, Karsen is spending 18 days this month traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He will take part in activities and meet with athletes, trainers and coaches who will speak to him and the other 26 youth from around the country about what it means to be a leader in the world of sports.

“Only 1 percent of all nominated athletes are selected to attend this academy,” said Karin Walker, Karsen’s mom. Only one other person from the Inland Northwest, Sandpoint resident Troy Goodman, was chosen.

Karsen and the others will also have an opportunity to meet with Olympic athletes and trainers who will take part in this summer’s Olympics in Beijing.

“He gets to stand on the same podium that Olympic athletes have stood on,” said Karin Walker.

According to his parents, Karsen will take part in structured activities based on sports leadership and teamwork. He will rappel down rocks, take part in a sailing race and camp out on the beach in Fiji.

“I’m most excited about staying on the beach in Fiji,” said Karsen. “We get to sleep in huts.”

His mom said she is excited to see the changes that are sure to occur in Karsen after he completes this trip. And both mother and son agree that Karsen is bound to make lasting friendships.

“I’m excited to see new cultures and make new friends,” Karsen said.

Karsen and his family do not know who nominated him, but they are grateful he has been given this opportunity. And Karsen has proved he is worthy of the honor with the hard work he has exhibited in raising money for the trip. Since he was accepted into the program, he has worked hard to help raise the $7,000 that the trip will cost.

“We’ve set certain goals on what he needs to earn,” said his mom. So far he has raised at least half of the funds and hopes to raise more to help pay his parents back for what they have spent.

Karsen has organized sales and has solicited sponsorships from area businesses, organizations and individuals. Family members have paid him to perform certain chores. For instance, in exchange for a donation, Karsen has agreed to help his uncle with the harvest once he returns from his trip.

“The Rathdrum Lions Club has been phenomenal,” said Karin Walker. “We’ve also had a really successful yard sale and auction. It’s become a whole family activity.”

But Karsen isn’t simply asking for donations. He is promising something in return to those who help him to achieve his fundraising goal.

He said he will take many pictures, as well as keep a journal of his experience. Upon his return, he will host a PowerPoint presentation about his experience.

“It’s a wonderful growth opportunity and he is refining his communication skills,” said his mom.

Although not every 12-year-old could travel without their family halfway around the world, Karsen’s dad, Marty, says he has no doubt Karsen will do fine.

“He is pretty independent which is one reason we agreed to let him go,” he said.

After completing an application, undergoing a telephone interview and submitting letters of recommendation, Karsen was notified by mail that he was accepted. It is an honor of which they are all very proud.

“It is an extreme honor for a local youth to be nominated at such a young age,” said his mom.

One of Karsen’s heroes, Peyton Manning, participated in People to People when he was young. And since Karsen would one day like to play professional football, Manning is just one example of how being a good leader can help someone achieve his or her dream.

“My favorite sport is football,” said Karsen, who will begin seventh grade at Lakeland Junior High in the fall. “I get to hit people and I don’t get in trouble for it.”

Although football is his favorite, Karsen excels in all of his other sports as well. He is actually traveling with People To People as an ambassador for USA Wrestling. He holds the Idaho state wrestling title from 2006 and has competed in wrestling at the national level. He is also a member of the Lakeland Little League Majors and plays basketball and football. No matter what court or field he finds himself on, Karsen has shown leadership qualities.

“I’ve been captain on every one of those teams,” said Karsen.

But sports isn’t the only thing in which Karsen excels. He is an honor roll student who received high honors his final quarter of sixth grade this spring at Garwood Elementary School. He says he tries to do as much of his homework as he can on the bus so he can devote his free time to the many sports in which he is involved.

While his parents agree that letting their son travel half-way around the world at such a young age makes them a little nervous, they know the experience will impact Karsen’s life forever.

“As adults we understand it is the trip of a lifetime, but as a 12-year-old, I don’t think they grasp it,” said Karin Walker. “He won’t realize the full impact until he gets there.”