At the beginning of June three amazing teens were awarded a Green Teens paid summer internship with KAB. Interns were selected based on their stellar attendance throughout the year at Green Teens afterschool activities and for the leadership skills they demonstrated throughout the year. This year there were too many amazing youth to choose from so KAB added a 4th internship. There is no rest for these dedicated students! School ended on June 1st and two days later interns reported for orientation.

Congratulations to our 2011 interns: Lesley, Traneecia, Stephanie, and Anita. We are very proud of these emerging environmental leaders, and look forward to a fun summer tending gardens and exploring Bouldin Creek with them and the campers.

Traneecia brings an incredible amount of creativity to the Green Classroom.  During the orientation she was scanning the Green Classrom to see what art projects and painting need to be done to make the place shine.  Although incredibly skeptical about insects, including butterflies, she didn’t think twice about scooping up an enormous rhinoceros beetle she found in the compost pile to share with campers.  As a veteran camp counselor – 2 years as a Sunshine Camp Counselor, she really knows how to capture the attention of youth.

 

 

 

Anita has attended Green Teens sessions for 3 years! During the school-year Anita was always the first and last teen found weeding tirelessly in the garden where she developed a great talent and interest in organic gardening. Selected for her reliability and positive attitude Anita continues to demonstrate her work ethic in the garden. She is very observant of what needs to be done in the garden, and tends to the plants even during the hot summer months.  In the first week of camp she has already made positive connections with campers teaching them how to weed the garden beds.

 

 

Stephanie is a natural leader.  She never hesitates to get muddy in the garden or stick her hands into a creek to look for bugs and tadpoles which sets a great tone for campers exploring nature.  Whenever something needs to be done, Stephanie steps right up to the task with incredible energy. 

 

 

 

 

During her time as a Green Teen at Travis High School, Lesley developed a strong commitment to preserving nature and wildlife in Austin, starting at Blunn Creek Preserve.  From invasive species to native plants and trees, Lesley can quickly turn a hike to the creek into a great learning experience.  Although she is the youngest intern, she has enough energy and knowledge to get any camper excited about their visit.