As part of an ongoing partnership development effort with the National Park Service and Indiana Dunes Learning Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana (BGCNWI) recently received a $50,000 grant to support the development of its Junior Staff program.
This year, twenty Club members were selected for a unique opportunity to serve as Junior Environmentalists during the summer. The 10-week, paid program exposed youth to careers in the National Park Services’ field, the beauty of the Indiana Dunes, and increased their love and knowledge of the environment. Among the many benefits the program afforded teens was an exciting opportunity to go on a 5 day / 4-night camping trip at Indiana Dunes State Park.
"The Junior Environmentalist Program, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, provides an all too rare opportunity to connect our future leaders with the natural world via our rich public lands. The National Park Service at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore looks forward to much more through this partnership," stated Paul Labovitz, Superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Over the course of the program, the twenty Junior Environmentalists worked closely with Ranger Kipp and Ranger Gail, exploring the trails of the Indiana Dunes and enriching their knowledge of area plant and wildlife. Teens engaged in a variety of art projects that included building their own kites. In addition, Ranger Gail taught speech classes and worked with teens to develop diverse interpersonal communications skills.
“We are excited about our partnership with the National Park Service and Indiana Dunes Learning Center, and hope to expand on it moving forward,” said Ray Nedohon, Director of Development and Marketing for BGCNWI. “It provides a unique learning opportunity for our teens, exposes them to the rich, beautiful natural resources that Northwest Indiana has to offer, and gives them a deeper appreciation for our environment.”