A World We Dare to Imagine

    I have always been a lover of nature. I went to camp in Wiscasset, Maine, for ten years of my life, and it has left an enduring mark on my character and interests. Connection with the outside world is vital for any young person and I firmly believe that exposure to nature can change lives. Getting away from the electronics for even a few weeks can instill a new sense of fun and encourage kids to be more creative with their free time. So, in a world I dare to imagine, I would like to see everyone have the same access and experience to the wilderness that I did. 

    It is all about getting kids outside and daring them to try new things. My camp was not a glitzy place. It consisted of old wooden cabins and activities that our ancestors have done for hundreds of years. We farmed the land and raised beef cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and more. For a period of time during the session, every camper went on a wilderness trip. This expedition could have been saltwater canoeing, sailing, whitewater kayaking, or backpacking along the Appalacians. These treks pushed me. I was sometimes wet for days if not weeks, and we carried in our food. Compassion shows itself in these trying times, and the summits and end destinations reveal themselves with more color. 

    I dare to imagine the possibility of every kid being challenged and tested the way I did. We called it type 2 fun. Things that may not seem so great at the moment, but when you look back on the experience, you say, "damn, that was fun." If everyone got a taste of type 2 fun in the wilderness, I believe that we would be more empathetic, strong, outdoing, and capable human beings.