14 minute read
Camps
FORGOING THE EASIER HIKE, SCOUTS ENJOY ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
ABOUT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
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The premier Boy Scouts of America (BSA) High Adventure™ base challenges campers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country.
Source: philmontscoutranch.org
Ihad the pleasure of taking part in June 2021 as 10 crew members and two advisors (scoutmasters) from University Park’s Boy Scout Troop 70 formed crew 622-U-02 at Philmont Scout Ranch, a premier NOAH W. LILLY BSA high adventure destination in New Mexico.
We chose a harder trek, and it rained every day.
Hiking 8 to 10 miles daily for 11 days, the crew soldiered on despite the conditions, tallying more than 100 miles and summiting Baldy Mountain at an elevation of 12,441 feet.
Going to sleep and waking to rain and knowing you would be putting on cold, wet socks and cold, wet boots for an 8+ mile hike in the mud takes a lot. John Dubiel
We also completed a service project in Carson National Forest, learning a lot about the prevention of forest fires while spending the day cutting underbrush to help prepare for a controlled burn.
I also learned a great deal about the history of Philmont and the souls that roamed the land throughout time. Along the way, we discovered remnants from old gold mines, happened on old cabins, and learned about settlers and how they lived.
The day we summited Baldy Mountain was one of the hardest and best.
The crew started from Camp Copper Park on the first sunny day we had seen, but the wind and clouds ascended as we hit the top of the ridgeline, making it almost unbearable.
We considered heading back down but persevered through after hiding behind trees for about 15-20 minutes to let the wind die down.
We made it to the top, and it was worth it. The views were breathtaking.
Scoutmasters John Dubiel and Phil Lamberson were impressed and complemented our leadership and cooperation.
“Everyone knew they had a job to do, and no one complained,” Dubiel said. “They helped each other whether requested or not. They just got the job done every day. Perhaps most impressive was the mental toughness they exhibited. Going to sleep and waking to rain and knowing you would be putting on cold, wet socks and cold, wet boots for an 8+ mile hike in the
FROM LEFT: Boy Scout Troop 70 members Noah Lilly, Will Carroll, Charlie Humphrey, Carter Dubiel, George Horvat, Grayson Houghton, Drew Lamberson, Max DeGroote, Payton Brown, and Chris Ellis. NOT PICTURED: scoutmasters John Dubiel and Phil Lamberson.
(PHOTO: COURTESY NOAH W. LILLY)
mud takes a lot.”
I can now boast that I was able to live for 11 days on only what my crew and I could carry.
Each of us carried about 50 pounds in gear. We ate only dehydrated food and chlorinated and purified all our water.
Parts of the trip were miserable, but I am very proud of how well we all worked together and that we did it. It was an accomplishment and trip of a lifetime.
Highland Park High School junior Noah W. Lilly and other members of Scout Troop 70 began training for their June 2021 trip in February. They took several hikes, camped twice to practice living on only what they could carry, and hit the stairs at Cityplace Tower.
Camping Best Practices: What to Bring, Reuse, and How-to Toss
Camping under towering pine trees and reminiscing around a warm fire at night are two things that should be at the top of every nature lover’s to-do list. Keeping our environment healthy and
AMY ADCOX thriving while doing so is not only an ethical obligation but a great practice for keeping our campsites clean and green.
Since 2019, the interest in camping across the nation has grown five-fold.
Republic Services, a leader in the U.S. environmental services industry, understands the nature of this and wants to provide our communities with the proper tools for camping in an eco-friendly manner.
For those of us who aren’t expert hunter-gatherers, it’s common to bring food from home to enjoy on a camping trip.
If you’re using disposable plates and utensils, properly discarding them when finished is a key sustainability habit. Republic Services offers the following pro-tips highlighting what’s recyclable: • Utensils – Some utensils are made from potato or corn and are compostable. Plastic utensils are not recyclable, so trash them after you’re finished. • Paper Plates – Once you use that plate for your hot dog that’s slathered in ketchup and mustard, toss it in the trash. It’s not recyclable. • Aluminum Cans – Did you know aluminum cans can be recycled over and over again? Be sure to keep the cycle going. • Glass Jars – Finished with that last crunchy dill pickle? If your city accepts glass, put the jar into the recycling cart. If not, toss it in the trash. • Plastic Bottles – Whether it’s a soda bottle or an empty ketchup bottle, it’s recyclable. Just ensure it’s empty, clean, and dry before you toss it into your recycling cart.
Republic Services also have a few important reminders for helping reduce toxins and maintaining a sustainable campfire. The following items and wood conditions are NOT to be burned while enjoying your time around the campfire: • Fresh Greenery • Materials with colored ink • Paint • Wrappers • Trash / Plastics • Pressure treated wood • Wet, rotten, or moldy wood • Driftwood, plywood, any wood with glue on it
NOT burning the above items can help cut down on your carbon footprint while camping and eliminate the potential of dioxins, mercury, and BCP’s being released into the atmosphere.
If possible, only use real locally sourced, organic, untreated, dry wood when building your campfires.
parkcitiespeople.com | March 2022 31 Meet One of the Teens Behind Perot’s Remote Field Trips Sofia Reyes’ acting skills took her behind the scenes at the museum
By Josh Hickman
Special Contributor
Preston Hollow teen Sofia Reyes, a budding thespian, attended the Meadowbrook and Hockaday schools before enrolling at the lauded Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts.
But children interested in STEM subjects might recognize this theater student as a co-host of The Whynauts.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science developed the show when the pandemic forced many into remote learning. It features two casts of curious young people FROM LEFT: Maddox Weddle, Sofia Reyes, and Angel McCary. (PHOTOS: COURTESY PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE)
who explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the museum and elsewhere around Dallas.
“The idea was to bring a field trip interactive experience to students at home to continue their interest in STEM topics,” Sofia said.
She auditioned in mid-November 2020 for the role of Hattie, the only bilingual member of the cast, by sending in a video of herself via her agent.
Because of COVID-19, cast members met on Zoom for many of their table readings to rehearse lines and get the timing down before those 14-hour shooting days.
“The most fun part was being able to be around the other cast members and the crew because everyone knew each other really well,” she said. “We just had so many fun moments, even with the stress of learning our lines, getting everything filmed, and meeting our deadlines. It was almost like a family.”
Episodes would explore such topics as adaptation, engineering, and biology, feature multiple examples, and include a special guest.
“We basically tried to cover the biggest science elements that occur in public schools from kindergarten to fifth-grade, some even for MEET THE WHYNAUTS
Visit perotmuseum.org to enjoy The Whynauts, a free virtual program presented by the Perot Foundation and the Lamar Hunt family. Students can create accounts to enjoy the show on their devices. Teachers can, too, and can share episodes and related packets with their classes.
seventh-and eighth-grade,” Sofia said. “I really enjoyed filming the paleontology episode; we actually got to hold dinosaur fossils.”
Now 16, Sofia thrives at her prestigious new high school, where she has participated in three shows this school year.
“Booker T. has been an incredible experience so far,” she said. “The teachers are very supportive and helpful. I think it’s a great experience if you want to push yourself.”
Her ambitions include more education and possibly becoming a professional actor.
“I’d love to film another season of The Whynauts,” Sofia said. “I love school, and I love learning. I’m definitely interested in going to college.”
Dallas Youth Flock to Skyhawks Sports academy aims to create healthier community with outdoor activities
By Daniel Lalley
Special Contributor
Since mid-2020, the isolation that came with the COVID-19 pandemic has levied mental and physical tolls with many stuck indoors and separated from the activities that promote stable wellbeing.
Children are especially affected by this absence of action, prompting a North Texas athletic academy to kick operations into overtime.
Skyhawks Sports Academy, the nation’s leading provider of sports programs for ages 4 - 14 years, saw record attendance last summer, inspiring a greater interest to keep children active through the fall and winter months. And for good reason.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a CDC study shows childhood obesity was magnified at an alarming rate. In fact, just six months into the pandemic, an estimated 22% of children and teens were considered obese, up from 19% the year before with the most dramatic increases affecting kids between the ages of 6 to 11.
These studies suggest a two-fold dilemma with decreased activity coupled with an increase of sedentary behaviors like too much television and screen time.
Tony Cavalle, owner of the DFW Skyhawks franchise, is certainly excited about the influx of active campers he’s seeing.
“When we opened up after the initial shutdown, we saw our attendance fly through the roof,” Cavalle said. “Since there was such After months inside, youth enjoying active learning in an outdoor setting. (PHOTOS: COURTESY
SKYHAWKS SPORTS ACADEMY)
a long stretch of inactivity, both kids and parents have been super excited to get back out there and get active.”
Tony says his program is designed to help youths all year long.
“It’s a great way for them to participate in sports, learn the benefits of physical fitness and is really just a big positive all around.”
Jason Frazier, COO and President of Skyhawks Sports corporate, feels the same.
“It’s always been our mission to instill confidence and a positive self-image, but the pandemic has made these goals even more important,” Frazier said. “As many families and kids spend time indoors, we want to make sure they have the outlet they need to continue the progress we saw during the summer. Sports is a training ground for life, and we’re teaching how to overcome obstacles and boost confidence in yourself and others.”
As far as staying healthy even amid the pandemic, Skyhawks has implemented measures to ensure their kids are COVID protected including face-covering policies and contactless check-in.
“Our program is also largely outdoors,” Cavalle said. “Which is good because it allows kids the opportunity to be active and creates an environment that is safer against the spread of germs.” DON’T WAIT FOR SUMMER
Visit skyhawks.com or call (214) 693-7196 for information about ongoing programs in basketball, soccer for all ages, baseball, track and field, volleyball, plus a Spring Break Camp March 7-10.
SCHOOL AND EVALUATION CENTER
THE SHELTON WAY
SUMMER 2022
17301 Preston Road, Dallas TX 75252
Summer Classes EC-12 . . . . . . . . . . . June 13 - July 1 Upper School Half-Credit Classes . . June 13 - July 1 Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 13 - July 8 Speech/Language/Hearing Program . . . . June - July Sports Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June - August WWW.SHELTON.ORG/SUMMERSCHOOL
Don’t be afraid to get dirty.
2022
A Week at the Museum Summer art camps come with creative projects for children ages 4 to 12
By Greg Nielsen
People Newspapers
Want a story-driven, beautifully creative camping experience? Head to the Dallas Museum of Art.
The DMA offers summer camps for children ages 4 to 12 starting in June and ending at the beginning of August.
Each camp will be a week long and vary based on age range and interest in art.
Leah Hanson, the director of family, youth, and school programs at the DMA, called the camps one of her favorite programs offered by the museum.
“It gives children the chance to learn without the pressure that school normally brings with it,” she said.
Most of the camps are either a half-day in the morning or afternoon, but older children have the option of doing both a morning and afternoon session. The children for that program also get lunch and playtime.
The youngest children will have options that relate art to storybooks. They will learn how the pictures and words interact to create an experience. Museum staff will then take campers to the gallery to see how what they have seen in the storybooks relates to art.
“What makes the camps different is that the kids spend time in the gallery with the permanent and special exhibitions getting that time to really take in the art,” Hanson said.
Older children will have more advanced classes based on their level of interest in art.
Those with higher interest will have options for learning appropriate art techniques. A Richardson ISD art teacher will be coming in to help campers learn how to paint. Students will learn about composition, creating colors, and brush techniques.
“The kids get to gain new experiences and learn that they have their own important perspective,” she said.
It’s more than just painting camps for the kids. Each age group gets a story-based experience to see how art allows people to communicate personal experiences to one another. The students get to practice what they have learned by doing a project for the end of the camp.
Children ages 6 to 8 will work with Shelley Hampe, who teaches at the Creative Art Center for the DMA.
Dallas Museum of Art summer campers learn about the connections between visual arts and stories while learning techniques and enjoying opportunities to create works of
their own. (PHOTOS: COURTESY DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART)
PLAN AHEAD
Hampe helped students create accordion-style storybooks at a previous camp.
Children ages 9 to 12 have the option of a course called Behind The Scenes, where they will learn how to create costumes, design a set, and write a play. They get to perform the play at the end of the camp.
The camps also benefit parents and guardians, who need places for their children to stay and learn during the summer, and the museum, which wants to introduce art to more age groups, Hanson said. “We want the kids to know that art museums can be fun and more than just a place with a lot of rules like no touching the exhibit.” Dallas Museum of Art summer camps registration opened for DMA members on Feb. 22 and Feb. 24 for the general public. Visit dma.org/programs/ family-programs to learn more about those and other programs.
Camps & Summer Programs
Check it out in the April issues of Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People.