DrThurber
Camp Psychologist
/ Moderator
Mar 25, 2008, 1:42 PM
Post #1 of 1
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Beyond Green Hype: Effective Conservation at Summer Camp
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"In my 36 years as a camper, staff member, and camp professional, the emphasis on conservation has waxed and waned. (Remember the energy crisis in the 70's?) But through all forms of green hype, I maintain that the following three tips are the best to teach campers and staff because they are the most effective at conserving the earth's limited resources: - Turn off lights that are not in use. At camps around the country, lights are frequently left on all night in shower centers, walk-in refrigerators, and bathrooms. Consider installing timers with manual overrides for lights in public spaces. That's an easy way to conserve wherever forgetful staff and campers leave bulbs burning. (And if you can convert to compact fluorescent, that’s great, too. Just be sure to dispose of fluorescent bulbs properly. The mercury inside is poison.)
- Walk everywhere. I cringe when so many of my camp director friends use golf carts and even cars (!) to navigate camp. Not only does walking save energy, it also sets a great physical fitness example for campers and staff to follow. Use a vehicle at camp in an emergency only.
- In the dining hall, take only what you can eat and eat what you take. Vast quantities of food are wasted at many camps after every meal because health department regulations forbid food that has been served from being re-served at a later meal. The answers: Serve smaller portions at a time, encourage campers and staff to fill up but not waste food, and consider donating whatever food your camp can't use to a local pig farmer.
Putting these three conservation strategies into effect can dramatically reduce your camp's electricity bill, food bill, and carbon footprint. Happy camping!"
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Dr. Christopher Thurber is a board-certified clinical psychologist on the faculty at Phillips Exeter Academy. His premium library of online video staff training modules, entitled Leadership Essentials, launched in January, 2008. Chris also produced The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success, a DVD-CD set that lowers the intensity of first-year campers' homesickness by half, and co-authored the best-selling Summer Camp Handbook, Chris can be reached at: chris@campspirit.com.
(This post was edited by DrThurber on May 30, 2008, 7:57 AM)
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