Earth Camp Commitment

My Earth Camp commitment is to learn as much as I can about the enviornment. Ive learned so much here at Earth Camp but the most important thing that Ive learned is that you can't help with anything that you dont know about. Before Earth Camp I didnt know much about where the energy and water that I used came from. Now I know that the water we get here in Tucson comes from the Central Arizona Project and it takes alot of energy for us to get it. I learned how I can reduce my "footprint". I never realized how much I really affect my enviornment but now that I do, my commitment is to reduce my effects.

The experience that inspired me most to make my compost commitment was the presentation that staff gave to us the first day of camp. I never knew much about composting and never bothered learning about it. They showed me that making a compost can acutally be very easy and does not take mush work at all. Now that I acually know about composting I would love to make one myself for my household.

My commitment was to learn about all the different ways I can help to make myself more eco-friendly. This is one the the easiest things we can do. All we have to do is be open to other people's ideas and let ourselves learn. This will be even easier if I can make this a common interest in my family. If I can get my family and friends interested in the enviornment then we can make this into a life style choice we can start together.

The world will be a different place due to my efforts because I am one less person that will be carlessly using Earth's resources. I will also be one more person that will use our limited resources wisely and spreding the word on how to do so. I plan to do everything I can to lower both my own and my communities "Footprint". All it takes is one person, one idea to change the world for the better.

I will use the braclets and necklaces that I made here at camp to remind me about my commitment. I've spent hours on these item because I lose them right after I make them. Everytime I see them I will remember my time here at Earth Camp and the commitment I have made.

Questions & Answers

What did you think camp would be like and did it turn out that way or differently?

Day One
I thought camp would be an adventure through nature with strangers that will become very close friends. I imagined hiking through mountains, rafting through rapids and meeting all sorts of different people along the way. I am really looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone while learning my effects on the Earth and how I can reduce my negative affects. I think camp will be an amazing expirence and alot of fun.
Day Twelve
Camp turned out to be a great learning expirence. We still had alot of fun on hikes and on the river but there was alot more learning then I ever assumed. We learned all about how water works, how canyons are formed, how you can tell what formed them and all about the species that lived there. In short, this camp was an expirence that I could have never even begun to imagine and I am happy to go home with both new knowledge and new friends.

What was your favorite activity and why?

By far my favorite activities were all the camp games we played. The unofficial Earth Camp game was Ninja. Playing with the other campers was the best way to pass the little bit of extra time we had. All the games really brought us closer together.

Who inspired you the most during camp?

The person that has inspired me most would have to be Jesus. This man knows everything about everything and can do anything with anything. If you ever have a question about wildlife he's the man to go to. He has an infinate knowledge about nature. Whenever I looked at him, he was teaching someone about a plant, animal, or scat, or he was making ropes, boats and animals out of plants. He knows so much and if I knew half of what he knew about nature I would be satisfied.

Tell me about a time at camp when you saw someone else demonstrate great leadership qualities. What did they do?

I think everyone at this camp has shown great leadership qualities. We all were very kind, conciderate, responsible and helped everyone that needed it. I think we all have developed greater leadership skills that we will continue to develop in the future.

Now that you have experienced Earth camp, how do you view water in Tucson and how will that affect your future actions and choices?

My choices and actions concerning water will now be a lot more conservative. I've learned how much money and power is needed just so we can turn on the water in our homes. I plan to be a lot more conservative with my water use and I will encourage my family members to do the same.