'Walk Across California' group makes a stop in Copperopolis Town Square

On June 13, 2014, 17 students from Santa Clara University set out to walk across California as part of an experiential learning course to “honor, understand and witness California” said teacher David Popalisky. 

This is the second such journey for David Popalisky, referred to as their fearless leader.

The idea was hatched in November 2010 and took a full year to develop and another year to implement with his first journey in the Spring of 2012. His intention with each walk is to “allow the kids to slow down and reflect on their own lives” as they witness the socio-economic diversity within the state.

The students began their 15 day trek at Ocean Beach in San Francisco where, as a group, they performed the ‘blessing dance’ to start their journey. The dance had been taught to Popalisky by a Native American friend and instructor Juan Valenzuela to “create a sacred space wherever you are” and in turn was taught to his students. It consists of the students standing in a circle and speaking as one blessing the 6 cardinal directions plus the addition of a special one Popalisky added. “Bless the space before me..behind..right..left..above..below…and within me.” 

Walk Across California - Creative Education

On Wednesday June 20, 2012 11 students from SCU campus set up camp in Copperopolis Town Square as a rest stop on their journey walking from the SF coast to Yosemite in a Walk Across California event. The Walk Across California event is the finale to a 10 week course taken at the University under theater and dance professor David Popalisky. “The class is designed to cultivate each student’s sense of wonder,” explained Popalisky. “We’ll focus on sustainability, environmental justice and social activism, as we prepare to walk among California’s diverse populations and through its natural landscapes.”

 

 By the time the group hit Copperopolis they had completed 6 days of their journey. This days journey included bicycling highway 4 from Stockton.

 After a quick swim at Saddle Creek and a dinner, the students were able to relax to the soft sounds of Danny Burton on his acoustic guitar. 

Walk Across California (WAC) to visit Coperopolis

13 SCU students will be participating in the Walk Across California event, the finale to a 10 week course taken at the University.

David Popalisky, associate professor in SCU’s department of theatre and dance, is leading the “Walk Across California” class. “The class is designed to cultivate each student’s sense of wonder,” explained Popalisky. “We’ll focus on sustainability, environmental justice and social activism, as we prepare to walk among California’s diverse populations and through its natural landscapes.”

The route begins at Ocean Beach and leads to s"everal places not found on any tourist map: a garden sowing seeds for food justice in Oakland; a farm workers’ labor camp in Stockton; a Me-wuk Indian reservation in Tuolumne."

Click read more for WAC agenda