Earth Camp Commitment

This year’s commitment shall be to investigate and shop at famer's markets. While in my search for these interesting shops, I will make a list of seasonal foods and make the other commitment of eating less red meat to the point of not eating any type of meat. Other from the fact that it’s healthier; I will not be contributing to the consumption of foods that take more energy of necessary means to ship because its energy that can be used in other forms rather than to satisfy an unnatural craving. Recipes will be found with the help of websites and books. And I will be investigating for other options to get enough protein in my dietary system from other sources than meat.

During camp there where many stories about how back in the day farmers had to work really hard to grow their everyday food. And by doing so, they had really healthy seasonal food with no mixture of chemicals or unnatural environments. All was green and pure, so by hearing these stories I was inspired to look out for these types of low energy consuming foods. To live on a healthier way of living.

To be able to eat foods in healthier ways will be done by a lot of investigation online and getting help from more informative people. I have a couple of people who can help me with this goal, like my new friends from Earth Camp.  I am sure that my family will support this plan of a better living.  I’ll use the information about local farmers' market and also information about foods that should be eaten at what time of the year.

The world will be different because one less person will be using less energy than before. Hopefully I might inspire others to do the same thing. Therefore have another chain reaction to this wonderful process of living a healthier life style.

I will use this particular photo to remind myself of my commitment because it describes what I don’t want to happen to my goal. I don’t want it to rust away from the energy I will put into it. I want it to be conserved for a life time and not just for a one time thing. I will print the picture out and put it into my agenda so every time i feel like I can’t do it, it will remind me that no dream is made into a physical and mental form without hard work and effort.

Questions & Answers

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

I thought camp would be the same as last year’s camp. I was very wrong. The over all thing enjoyed about this year's camp, was the people that were a part of this camp. Such wonderful personalities joined together to make the unique experience of the 2011 High School Lauren Clark Earth Camp. And such a wonderful diversity of things to be able to experience at a higher level. Last year I only got to see specific parts of the whole trip but this year’s trip opened my eyes to a bigger view. It was an awesome difference!

What was your favorite activity and why?

I enjoyed the rafting trip to a 110%. I felt like I had a small but yet large adventure being able to share it with many others. And the information that I learned about geology was spectacular. I enjoy science so much and being able to engage things hands on instead of looking pictures in a text book made a huge difference in what I want to dedicate my life to.

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

The possibility of being independent and taking care of one another are leadership qualities that I have learned about myself.  Being able to take care of one self is a huge accomplishment but being able to look out for others is even better! Having that family vibe is such a wonderful experience, especially with people that you hang out with for 12 days.

Who inspired you the most during camp?

The staff was amazing and some campers really made me take a double look at their sincerity. But the one person who has that special place in my heart is Amy Orchard. I consider Amy as my second mother. She puts so much effort into Earth Camp so we students can have the memories of a life time. She puts the sunshine into Earth Camp that no other could possible attempt to portray. She is a one of a kind person that everyone should have the opportunity to know. And I can say that through all the Earth Camps that I have been to, I have never been home sick, and I’m pretty sure it’s because Amy is here. :D

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

Sade is an awesome camper. I don’t think I’ll forget how she never complained about anything. She always had a smile on. What really surprised me was how fast she was ready in the morning; she helped put up tents with girls that needed a little help. So what really stuck in my mind was how she took care of others and still had enough time to take care of herself. And her personality is exquisite!

What did you do during camp that demonstrated your own leadership qualities?

The leadership skills I found out about myself was when I tried to help in any way I could. I tried to be a good example and portray a bigger sister in the camp to the rest of the girls. Since I've been to the camp before, I did what I could to help out those who needed a resurance to the answers of their questions.

In what ways did Earth Camp help you think about your future, e.g. careers or higher education?

I’m so very glad that I decided to come again to Earth Camp. Mostly because I’m going to be a senior this August and I need to have an idea of what I want to dedicate my life to. Earth Camp has given me the extra boost to go for that dream of working for a healthier planet. I’m definitely going to work in a career that has to do with earth science because I live only once and I want to help this beautiful world before I leave it.

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

What I have learned at Earth Camp has brighten my sight with a much better viewpoint. My new perspectives are accumulating by how far water has to travel for us to use this most important resource.  From the Colorado River to our houses in Arizona, ,man-made constructed transportation of water goes along way for people to use water in natural and unnatural ways. Conserving water in any way will become my duty!