My Commitment-

During our rafting trip, we had orange juice every morning in the same bowl. It made me think of how many cartons it would take to fill up that one bowl and how much of it would be thrown away creating useless trash. By using one single bowl over and over for the orange juice, it was practical not only for us but the amount of trash it would have created. My solemn oath of loyalty to earth camp is to use canvas bags. Think about it, canvas bags are the least of our worries but they can make a huge difference with our plastic waste. I plan to bring my own canvas bags when grocery shopping , resisting the creation of more plastic waste for the earth.

Day 2 Journal Entry-

Well, I survived. I think I’ve taken an interest to plants. And/or I like to ask A LOT of questions. Today was better, kinda, a little, eh, not really. More action. Like death defying! I’m more balanced than I thought or anyone would have thought. Nature is hard, I mean people always say to be more nature-esqe? But I don’t really think they had the time to really consider what they are doing. Not saying that I don’t enjoy this, but I am glad I am trying. It proves to myself that I can do and achieve something and it’s awesome. Like someone said before, “People are open minded, as long as they’re the same ideas,” or something similar. People are nice, food is good, the drives are fun, the hiking is… INTENSE, but the knowledge is incredible. I think I have adjusted rather nice or at least tried and I just realized! I have not complained all that much. Kudos for me! Also, I could write about this forever. I have so much thoughts and things crammed into my head, it’s insane. Hopefully, I can remember them when I continue writing.

Day 6 Thoughts-

Today would have to be the funniest and most fun day to date. Our guides are outrageous and our beach is amazing. We are camped at wire fence right next to a huge rapid which most of us decide to ride down it numerous times with our duckies. All the adults actually decide to ride down it on one duckie, which most of the adults were forced off within the first wave of the rapid. Not to mention the guy guides shenanigans. One would wear many life jackets while the other attempted to ride him through the rapid. And you try learning to make rope out of paper towels while the guides do that in the background. HILARIOUS. That afternoon was too much for words. Wire fence is the best. We also had bonding time with the guides and played a game that we played when it rained the previous day which was called magic door with a rope we made out of grass. Yes, I said grass. Jesus is that awesome. And Daniel isn't too lame either.

 Enlightenment-

1. "Drinking nature is unquenchable thirst." -Berri Clove.

2. "In the sky an infinitude of hope, a canvas of glory all possibilities mine." -Neroli Lambent.

3. Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more." -Vincent Van Gogh.

4. Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." -Russell Baker.

5. "Nature has given women so much power that the law very wisely given them little." -Samuel Johnson.

6. "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put into order." -John Burroughs.

7. "Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence." -Hal Borland.

8. "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." -Aristotle. 

9. "If the sights of the blue skies fill you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." -Eleonora Duse.

10. "I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me." -William Hazlitt.

11. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." -William Shakespeare.

12. "Nature always wears the colors of spirit." -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

13. "I think that I shall never a poem lovely as a tree." -Joyce Kilmer.

14. "Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." -Rachel Carson.

 15. "We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts." -William Hazlitt.

My Feelings About Earth Camp-

Experiencing earth camp is an experience like no other. It has taught me more than I could ever imagine. I am so grateful that I was part of such an amazing trip. All the people on this trip were genuinely nice and caring. Earth camp makes you see the earth in a alternate way, more conscious way. I know it made me realize things I did not before. It teaches you the appreciation of everything and anything on this planet. It teaches you to use more of what is natural and what you do in this earth makes a difference. It teaches you so much about yourself and what you can achieve. I truly will never forget earth camp and I would not trade it for the world. I enjoyed earth camp more than you will ever know. And if I do get the chance to go again, it would make my life.