Nature education in Hinesburg

Daniel Ashe, a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School, will help kids get closer to nature this summer. He’s been an avid camper over the years, and now is on a leadership mission for his Graduation Challenge project. He has organized, and is directing, the Small Wonders Nature Camp through the United Church of Hinesburg.

The camp is for children five to eleven years old and will run from 5pm to 7:30pm Aug. 10 through 14. Dinner will be served. The cost per camper is $30, or $50 for a family, and scholarships are available.

Guest presenters at camp will be Craig Newman from Outreach for Earth Stewardship who runs a raptor rehabilitation program, Barry “The Bat Guy” Genzlinger, local beekeeper Kristi Johnson, and local bird expert Allie Wagner.

We spoke to Ashe on July 6.

Q: Why have you chosen this as your grad challenge project?

Daniel Ashe: I’ve been working at summer camps for four years now and I wanted to see what it would be like to make my own and direct it. I saw grad challenge as a great way to do this.  

Q: What is your goal? 

DA: My goal for the camp is for it to be as successful as it can, both for my grad challenge and for the campers — I want the campers to want to come back next year. 

Q: How will campers benefit from coming to this camp? 

DA: Campers will get to experience the wonders of nature in our community. We have many presenters and experts who are coming in to do fun and interactive presentations for the kids. For instance, we have someone who will be doing a raptor presentation with a bard owl and a red-tailed hawk. 

Q: What do you think you will learn from hosting this camp? 

DA: I hope to learn the challenges of creating and directing a summer camp. It is something that I have always wanted to know and with this experience, I will know first-hand. 

Q: What are your favorite hobbies? 

DA: I like to play basketball and soccer. I like to swim, and I love to work at Camp Sunrise. 

Q: Favorite school subject?

DA: I typically lean towards the math and science subjects. Recently, I took an astronomy class and I really liked it. 

Q: Favorite sport? 

DA: I enjoy playing basketball the most — I think it’s mostly because I’m tall.

Q: Future aspirations? 

DA: I hope to be an elementary school teacher. I really enjoy working with kids and teaching them new things. I see myself really enjoying a teaching position. 

For more information or to register, please call the United Church of Hinesburg office at 482-3352.