Summer Camp Inspires Fort Wayne Youth

By Gowri Somasundaram

Nature can be brutal. And while we may go to great expense and effort to separate and protect ourselves from the worst of it, people are as much a part of nature as the sunflowers, whales, and redwood trees. Our Climate Camps are designed to instill youth with a sense of belonging and teach them how to care for our home. This past July I planned and implemented Earth Charter Indiana’s first week long Nature Camp in Fort Wayne, IN, engaging campers in fun climate based activities and introducing them to experts from several environmental organizations.

Nature camp focused on variety of topics from renewable energy and native plants, to composting and herpetology. We met some live reptiles, played climate action games, made candles, practiced yoga, and learned about fossils. My goal was to impart climate knowledge, raise their sustainability awareness, and inspire this next generation to protect the environment. Judging by the positive response from campers, I feel like that was accomplished.

These camps are a labor of love and I couldn’t have done this without community support and volunteer participation. Thank you to Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, from Purdue Fort Wayne for giving the space at the Environment Resource Center classroom. I also want to recognize and thank Solar United Neighbors, the City of Fort Wayne, IU Environmental Resource Institute, Fort Wayne Native Plant Species Society, Jara Candles, Sustain Fort Wayne, Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District. This summer showed me how fun and successful climate camp can be for Fort Wayne youth and I’m excited to do it again in the future!

Meeting a snake

Making worm bins

Enjoying some yoga outside