Nature Camps, Inc. - Community Service

Nature Camps Teen Adventure Support Material
Description: Overview Day Camp TA Five Day Trips Community Service Service Learning Hours Letter to Teens and Parents	Supplies: Overnight at NC Bunker Hill Overnight O'neill Family Farm Appalachian Trail	Schedules: TA Tentative Schedule O'neill Family Farm Appalachian Trail	Required TA Forms: Enrollment Form Health Form TA Contract Waiver for O'neill Family Farm Whitewater Rafting

COMMUNITY SERVICE – Giving Back

Service learning has long been an integral part of experiential education, and is one of the major tenets of Nature Camps philosophy. NC affirms that service is a central part of the summertime experience for teenagers. In the Teen Adventure Day Program community service ranges from becoming that older sister or older brother when interacting with younger children in various activities, to working upon camp and Community Service projects at the O'neill Family Farm.

Recently, teens completed a stream study survey, concluding that it was prudent to change one of the trails along the stream. They planned and constructed a new winding higher trail with unique observation points and a challenging bridge to cross.

In previous summers, teens created many raised wildflower garden beds, learning how to build stone walls around each “secret garden.” Still others worked together on creating a new swing area - using only hand tools: a two man saw, to cut the locust tree posts, a brace and bit to drill the holes, and finally learning rope lashing techniques to attach the swing posts. On the O'neill Family Farm, teens built an outside shower, built an outside over, worked on a log house, repaired fencing, and sheared sheep.

Teens eagerly participate in such voluntary "service," seeing themselves not only as autonomous individuals but also members of an intentional community – the Nature Camp Family. And, working side by side, sharing the physical labor, were the Teen Adventure Staff, spontaneously giving the example of leadership to service – offering side by side mentorship.

What a joy it is to observe the expressions throughout all of the teens' work. Even deeper satisfaction comes as younger children use these various projects created over time!

During the first away TA Trip, teens will live and work on the O'neill Family Farm in Northern Baltimore County. They will become part of the farm family and assume farm responsibilities: harvesting, tending to animals, completing chores, planning and cooking meals, working on projects, and continuing the TA tradition of contra dancing at Lovely Lane Church in Baltimore. The O'neills have worked hard to create an intentional life of green sustainable living for themselves and their children.

NC will continue to combine structured TA activities with experiential challenges and “plain hard work” to build responsible problem solvers who become stewards of the environment as they pursue productive lives.