…and then it’s up to the mosquitoes to decide your fate! This was a common theme during a week-long stay at the Big Thicket National Preserve over spring break in March of this year.
Bug spray is important to any conservation project!
For the first time, the Houston Zoo launched a teen conservation program that put 10 kids right in the thick of conservation work at the Big Thicket. Alternative Teen Break (ATB) seeks to get kids outside, learning more about nature, wildlife and the importance of conservation work.
Our 10 participants hailed from all over the greater Houston area. They began their participation in ATB back in October of 2011 and finished in May of this year after they conducted a “re-orientation” presentation that discussed their experiences in the program.
Alternative Teen Break’s main focus is the week of intensive conservation work during the student’s spring break vacations. The week was spent together in close quarters, conducting difficult work over long hours, but it provided the participants with much more than a knowledge of conservation.
Working on a bio-blitz!
Some of the participants commented on how much they learned from, and enjoyed getting to know students from other areas of Houston, and backgrounds. Team-building was an integral part in the ATB group successfully completing their conservation work. One participant said “I also liked, how everyday there would be a new project to do, and you would think everyone would be too tired to even crack a smile or get too grumpy in the morning, to work together. But actually, it was as if everyone was given a 5hour energy shot, cause no one lost their spirits and everyone fed off each other’s energy, so there was not one person who refused to work together or to complete the task. Everyone worked as one, and that way we finished earlier than planned!”.
Other participants commented on how much they increased their knowledge of conservation and wildlife.
“My favorite aspect of the program was all of the knowledge that we were able to receive from the various specialists that we were able to work with. It was my favorite part because there was so much about conservation that I didn’t know and was able to learn from these specialists.”-ATB 2011/2012 Participant
The whole group!
“Actually working in the preserve gave me a sense of accomplishment and made me learn a lot about what conservation is really about.” -ATB 2011/2012 Participant
Rebuilding a bridge
“My favorite aspect of ATB was that I was learning more about nature and at the same time I got to work with other teens that had the same interest as me.”-ATB 2011/2012 Participant
Lessons were learned in many areas; wildlife conservation, fundraising, team-building, conflict resolution, and even cooking! It was amazing to have such a dedicated first group of participants and we are looking forward to what year #2 brings!
If you are interested in participating in an Alternative Teen Break, check out our teens and adults page towards the end of the summer for more information!
