I love the Earth! My expression of appreciation for the tiny green and blue ball floating in space takes form in admiring the great outdoors. Nature as a whole never fails to amaze me. As plants grow in 130 degree temperatures, and the sky paints its own unique picture every morning/evening, I take time to view the world around me. To dig deeper and view nature for what it is, I envelope myself with outdoor activities. I have a deep rooted love for hiking and the beach, but when celebrating the Earth for Earth Day, I have to shout out Walden West.
Sitting on over 35 acres, Walden West (and Sanborn County Park) have become my home over the past four years. Begging every day during summer camp, my car engine happily kick starts and twists me up the winding Saratoga hills. Looping around for camp and personal hiking pleasures I know these roads like the back of my hand. For Earth Day and the appreciation of nature in general, I strive to take those roads again and take in the beauty that the asphalt sits upon. Winding around corners surrounded by trees makes Walden West feel like a special secret; tucked away and only available to those deserving of its beauty.
The campus in general and the camp experience transports campers to another level of “nature lovers.” With the welcoming environment and excellent staff, Walden West never fails in creating a different experience every time someone volunteers. Hikes vary and the nature evolves with the season. No matter what time you venture to the camp, mother nature does her job of preserving this gorgeous chunk of land. Additionally, the campus sits on land that once belonged to the Guemelento Ohlone tribe. The camp recognizes this and aims to preserve this history.
This wondrous camp truly ignited my appreciation for nature and all that it has to offer. Without Walden West I would not have found myself as a leader. And for that, I am forever grateful for one of my favorite places on Earth.