Earth Camp Commitment

My Earth Camp commitment is to create and lead a compelling Earth Club at school.  There are many students at my high school that want to be eco-friendly, and a club at our school will bring us all together to work as a team and discuss the important issues our planet earth is facing.

Thinking about the future of our planet motivated me to make this commitment. If more people were to experience how wonderful Earth is, more people would take care of it. An Earth Club at my school would make others more conscientious and would encourage them to make better choices. We would all learn in a positive environment, gaining great life skills.

In order to accomplish my Earth Camp commitment I will make a schedule, write in my journal, and evaluate myself. Writing a schedule will allow me to plan ahead and it will also allow me to gather people when they are most available. A journal would help me evaluate myself. My support system at home will encourage me to keep my commitment.

Once I change my bad habits and make an Earth Club I will be able to influence others for the better. When we learn to appreciate our planet Earth better, we will know and practice what we should be doing—taking care of our magnificent home.

John Wesley Powell’s journey has greatly inspired me. When we were camping on the Green River, we read excerpts from his expeditions.  They depicted his amazing strength and hunger for exploration. Even though he was missing an arm from a Civil War injury, he was 100% committed to exploring. I will utilize Powell’s voyage to remind myself of my commitment.  

Questions & Answers

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

I thought Earth Camp would be a great opportunity to learn about our planet. Also, I thought it would be a great voyage in which I would find myself, make friends, and gain great life skills.

It turned out to be a lot of what I thought it would be. I have learned many things about nature. For instance, I can point out things like: Desert Varnish, Eddies, critical points in waves, Aeolian sand dunes, debris fans, iron in sand and rocks, calcium carbonate, tamerus, juniper trees, and elk and deer excrements.  I also learned some interesting vocabulary and history. The fun times driving and seeing the great arches, sky, mountains, and rivers are what I will never forget. These great memories will always live in my heart.

What did we do at camp that impressed you the most and why?

It is very difficult to choose what impressed me the most because there were many incredible things. The places that impressed me the most were the Glen Canyon Dam and Arches National Park. The Glen Canyon Dam was very interesting because of its functions, and how massive it is. Arches National Park demonstrates the wonders of nature.

Who inspired you the most during camp?

John Wesley Powell inspired me the most because he was very astute, fearless, inquisitive, and adventurous.  The explorations he led demonstrated his courage, intuition, and leadership.

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

I saw someone demonstrate great leadership qualities by saving me when I was caught in an eddie. Andrew, one of the river rafting guides, was fast and calm.

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

I will appreciate water more than I every did before Earth Camp. I knew that water was very scarce, but I never thought about the complicated process of bringing it to our homes. We must not waste it because it is essential for life. I will be more aware of the effects that opening a faucet bring. Also, I will teach others how to limit wasting it.