It was summer of Going Wild for Species at Risk! Two Go Wild Youth Bootcamps were delivered by Carolinian Canada Coalition this past summer.
Camp Kenessarie hosted the Go Wild Youth Bootcamp on July 2, 2015 as part of their camp counsellor leadership and training week. Twenty four counsellors and six leadership team members attended the boot camp to learn more and do more for species at risk. Programming focused on introducing ideas on how to develop environmental educational programming for the camp. Focused on the natural resources already at the camp, counsellors participated in wetland and forest studies while learning more about the many issues faced by species at risk in those habitats. One counsellor shared “I had an amazing time learning about what was in my own back yard. It was really interesting to begin to understand the impact humans have made on our environment and be given the tools to improve the quality of life around us”. Camp Kenessarie has reported that their counsellors were better prepared and informed to engage campers in nature based programming and want to participate again next year.
On July 9 and 10, the Ontario Stewardship Youth Rangers (SYR) and Point Pelee National Park hosted a Grow Wild Youth Boot Camp to prepare for a summer of species at risk action! Here is a testimonial from one of the Crew leaders, Sarah Walton, which outlines the experience.
The Aylmer District Stewardship Youth Rangers (SYR) was one of five SYR crews to participate in the overnight “Grow Wild” Youth Boot Camp at Point Pelee National Park from July 9th to 10th, 2015. This camp enabled Rangers to discover, up close and personal, information on Point Pelee’s intimate geological relationship with Lake Erie, park history and how management strategies have enhanced species at risk populations (i.e. five linked skink, map turtle) that inhabit the park’s lush Carolinian environments, and understand how ecological concerns associated with invasive species (i.e. white-sweet clover) were met with dedicated restoration efforts. As the Aylmer Crew Lead I felt enlightened by the new information concerning park ecology and management, encouraged by the team work I witnessed amongst the SYR crews, and delighted by the opportunities to explore Point Pelee by day, when paddling the Freighter Canoe through the park’s marsh searching for turtles, and by the dim light of fire flies at night, when searching for elusive owls. Two educational presentations provided the anticipated up close wildlife viewing opportunities (Birds of Prey with Canadian Raptor Conservancy) and physical handing of wildlife (Sciensational Snakes). I am proud to state that this camp opportunity and Sciensational Snakes program has potentially altered the career course of one of my Rangers, whom originally entered the program with intentions of being an electrician, to now loving reptiles and looking at career prospects researching and conserving snakes. Throughout our summer activities since this camp, this Ranger has significantly enhanced his outlook on conservation, species at risk, and overall passion for wildlife, thanks to the attitude and abilities of the staff who worked together to provide a unique and information-filled overnight workshop for the Aylmer Stewardship Youth Rangers.
Two more Go Wild Youth Boot Camps are scheduled for September 25, 2015 at Leamington District Secondary School and October 6, 2015 at Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.
Funding for the Go Wild Youth Boot Camps has been generously provided by TD Friends of the Environment. We thank them for their continued support.
