Youth Active Citizenship Course - What Can I Do for my Island San Cristóbal?

“What is a good example of active citizenship that benefits people and animals?” Adrian Rodriguez, youth leader, asked the group of 20 local teen-agers. The responses were creative and novel: promote water bottle refills from local water jugs instead of plastic bottles and plant vegetable gardens beside peoples´ homes, among others. When asked to think of actions each of us can take, we were in agreement to use aluminum water bottles, use cloth bags and less plastic, use resources more intelligently and come by foot or on bicycle to the course.

The actions we can take to care for our community and planet are many- the challenge is focusing on which actions are most beneficial and will catch on quicker among our peers. After 8 days of the youth course, 5 youth leaders and myself have  met every morning over the last two weeks to analyze this question and plan to work with more than 100 children (ages 8 to 13) in the summer vacation courses sponsored by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Casa de la Cultura (Cultural House). Over this period our number has grown to 12 teen-agers, and they have named the group ALIVE: which stands for in Spanish Adolescentes Líderes con Intención de Vida Ecológica and in English Young Leaders Intent on Living Ecologically.

Below are some photos showing the fun we have had and the actions we have learned. I hope to have a preliminary report analyzing the results of the course for the youth and younger participants by the end of this month.

Youth Leadership and Service Learning on San Cristóbal

Youth Leadership and Volunteer Course - February 13 to 22, 2013 with options to volunteer with local institutions in their day camps March through April: 

A Service-Learning Opportunity with a focus on Active Citizenship and Conservation

Building on my experiences as counselor and division director in US summer camps and team leader for the Youth Volunteer Corps, I am coordinating a youth leadership and volunteer course for teen-agers 14 through 19 years old to promote active citizenship and conservation through everyday actions. We are currently designing the activities for the week and would love ideas of fun, educational self-esteem and team-building activities that you have participated in or led. Please comment with your ideas.

PS- As one of my new year´s resolutions in 2013, I plan to post weekly to this blog to keep my friends and family better updated in the US on the progress of my community education and outreach project. Please cross your fingers for me! :)