Student's Unique Summer Camp Experience

Sunday's (August 13) Express-Times featured a Nazareth area student, Molly Dendas, whose summer camp experience was quite unique. "Eco Camp Opens Doors (read it here)" made it quite clear that not all camps are like those depicted in the 1980s comedy movies (Meatballs, Poison Ivy, etc).

The camp that Dendas participated in last year and returned to this year is run by the PA State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and "Eco" stands for Environmental Careers Outdoors (ECO Camp information, contact Blue Knob State Park, near Imler, Bedford County, at (814) 276-3576.)

In the article Terry Brady wrote:

They were drawn together in an ongoing DCNR bid to introduce young people to conservation and environmental careers, and to encourage them to pursue their interests. From stream sampling of fish and aquatic life, to forestry skills, daily activities were planned to get students out in the field, meeting and observing environmental professionals.

And he quoted Dendas as saying:

"Last year's camp was such an amazing time for me, and I can't think of a better repayment than to come back and help introduce other young people to all that I had enjoyed," said Dendas, who enters Juniata College this fall to study environmental science and marine biology. "When you see someone who had never been on a bike before end up riding miles with us ... that's pretty cool."

I was impressed by this camp. To begin as a state program it is offered at no charge - making it accessible to all. For the student it provides insight into career opportunities tied to an area of personal interest. Further, it encourages an appreciation of nature and better understanding of the need for conservation and management of resources. In a high-growth area like our own, this is particularly important. Finally, it gives the student hands-on learning from a diversity of professionals, any one of which could help open a door in the future.