American Legion Youth Environmental Conference
2008 Report
by
Barbara Ross, Coordinator
Member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 84, Auburn
Kristi Schroeder, U.S. Forest Service
Counselors:
Julie Potter (Legion/Auxiliary); Gene Fanucchi (Legion); Rick Bernard (SAL)
Dan (Ooga) Smith (Legion) and High School Science Teacher Louis Dias
The 2008 conference was attended by 52 students from 14 Districts, sponsored by Posts, Districts, County councils, PCC’s, and 40/8.
Everyone met at Post 521 in Rio Linda for breakfast where they had a short orientation by Frank Mosbacher, U.S. Forest Service. Students were assigned to 4 groups, each with a Forest Service cadre member (Kristi, Sue, Tera and Dana) and volunteer counselor assigned to them. Each student received a binder provided by the Forest Service, which contained the agenda, newspaper articles pertinent to the program, worksheets they would complete over the weekend, projects, they can take home and do, and a notepad which they would carry with them on any activities.
After arriving at Sly Park Environmental Center they worked in their groups to play the “Name game” and have an opportunity to meet each other. Groups are set up to mix students from all areas of the state and are identified by the color of the baseball cap they’re wearing.
Following a pizza lunch the students go on a short hike to be introduced to the forest. Then an opportunity to learn how much alike everyone is – students share information about themselves including what their favorite sports and activities are.
Students participate in an exercise on how humans and their actions affect the environment.
One of the most interactive activities is the Terminal Values session in which the students select their strongest value from among those posted on signs around the area – world peace, equality, freedom (selected most often) self-respect, and true friendship are some examples. Students form small groups based on their number one value and create a shield that represents their value and present it to the other groups.
Building on this theme, students learn about the process making laws which govern the Forest Service’s land management. This leads to a discussion on how conflicts can be solved and a balance achieved taking into consideration laws, boundaries, politics and common ground.
Following dinner students have a short free time then it’s rock wall climbing, the planetarium, and star gazing. Ping pong or shooting hoops are some of the activities that end the day. Most students are in bed by the 10:00 lights out.
Early wakeup – 6:30 KP duty for 8 assigned students; 7:00 breakfast for everyone else.
Discussion on what students had learned Friday, then an introduction Video on South Lake Tahoe.
On to the buses for the trip to Lake Tahoe. Observe the river canyon, fire areas, geology, development and recreation areas along the highway.
On the shoreline at South Lake Tahoe, is a Reflections exercise: Students spend a quiet 20 minutes experiencing the Lake with their senses and contemplating what they see and feel. Some students choose to share their writings with the group; others choose to submit them anonymously to be typed up and shared. (They can be seen on The American Legion website).
Students meet staff from the South Lake Tahoe Basin, take an interpretive hike along the shoreline and nearby forest and are introduced to the local plants and animals, history, and learn how the Forest Service works with other agencies to maintain the forest within the Federal laws and local policies, and to observe development, recreation and business opportunities that affect the beauty of the lake.
Lunch is followed by a walk along the edge of the devastating 2007 Angora wildland fire which destroyed over 200 homes. Forest Service staff that were involved in the fire talk about their experiences, the effects on the community, and issues before and after the fire. The students travel through the middle of the fire area on the way back to base camp and could see first hand the devastation and the rebuilding of homes and lives.
On Saturday evening the students view “The Greatest Good” the Forest Service Centennial film which provides a look at the history of the agency and land management practices and how peoples values of the time shaped our modern day forests.
Again evening free time includes shooting hoops, or an opportunity to enjoy the work of counselor Don Smith, a Wildlife Photographer.
Sunday has another time for reflections followed by activities and lectures on the Wildlife Round Up: Wildlife community and their habitat needs and You Thin a Forest: a hands-on exercise on creating a healthy forest. Students learn how to determine which trees would need to be thinned for health in an assigned plot, based on the type of tree, condition, size and marking guidelines.
A hike along the nature trails associated with the Sly park camp teaches students about the local fauna and Forest Service issues including fuels and stakeholders (and burns off some energy).
Following lunch the students hear about global climate change, the effects on forests, and the research happening to understand and adapt our forests. For the rest of the afternoon students take on a fast-paced interactive planning exercise based on the Eldorado’s Travel Management project which is designating a transportation system of roads and trails in the forest for use by wheeled, motorized vehicles; such as, cars, four-wheel drives, motorcycles, and ATVs.
Sunday night – one of the highlights of the weekend – the talent show. Each student must comment on what the weekend meant to them, and receive their T-shirt. Following this students display their creative side and entertain the adults for about an hour with songs, skits, dances and lots of fun. Thanks to the Forest Service, counselors, The American Legion, and even the bus drivers. Roasting marshmallows over a camp fire is always a hit.
Monday morning is the Community Action Project final exercise where the students brainstorm projects that meet a need in their community or forest and learn how to prioritize them. Students select a project and divide into smaller groups to work through an Implementation Plan. They identify the project goals, tasks, resource needs, timelines, budget needs, support needs, marketing/advertising ideas, and ideas for seeking funding. Each student can take this project home and with a little help and planning implement the project for their community. Projects included encouraging the use of reusable bottles; removal of invasive plants; start an environmental or ecology club; public education, in particular young children, about human footprints and forest safety; write articles for school newspapers; promote a community green month or recycling program; encourage park management; plant trees; beach and park cleanups.
Throughout the weekend all students have been assigned to KP duty. Many of the boys say “don’t ever tell anyone I washed a dish”. A roster is circulated on which the students can put their contact information. This is copied and distributed.
The final evaluation by the students indicates that the rock wall climbing, planetarium, and reflections are big hits on the educational/leadership side, while the talent show appeals to the more outgoing.
Overall students rate the conference an average of 9 on a scale of 1-10.
Another successful conference based on student evaluation comments – from the comedy “I finally can tell my parents something they don’t know” to the more serious. Typical comments are “Thank you for this fabulous opportunity!! It was absolutely incredible. It’s so refreshing to see so many who actually care about our youth. You guys are amazing”. “This camp was nothing I expected and I will never forget it”. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I appreciate all of the time and effort you put into the program. I will forever remember these awesome memories I’ve made”. “It was really cool to be praised for getting over my fear of height at the rock wall”. “Thank you to everyone who participated and sponsored”. “Thank you Forest Service and American Legion. You all are a true inspiration”. “AMAZING” I can’t wait to share this experience with others”
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