For teens dreaming of playing pro sports, there are plenty of summer camps to hone their athletic skills. But for students looking toward a career in the environment, there aren’t many opportunities to help them along.

That’s why we are excited about the launch of RHA’s Environmental Leaders Academy (ELA), our first-ever residential camp for high school students considering careers in conservation and environmental fields.

In late June, 15 students from northern and central New Jersey gathered at the Pingry School campus in Pottersville for a week of fun, hands-on education in a variety of topics related to nature and the environment.

Students learned about New Jersey’s efforts to restore bat populations decimated by a disease known as white-nose syndrome. They waded in streams to see how our scientists learn which ones have clean water and healthy ecosystems. They received lessons on advocating for the environment by contacting their legislators. A local artist led them in nature illustration and our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert showed them how to visualize data through computer mapping.

There were field trips including a visit to a “regenerative” farm to see the benefits of boosting soil health and reducing harmful environmental impacts. They learned how to build and maintain trails, identify native and invasive plants, and improve bird habitat. They paddled in kayaks, observed fireflies and constellations at night, and were treated to a mini environmental film festival.

The camp turned out to be wonderful – it was everything we hoped it would be!

Environmental Leaders Academy is an offshoot of Watershed University, a summer day camp program geared toward local high school students with an interest in the environment. ELA attracts high school students from a broader geographic area, targeting the state’s urban communities, and makes the camp tuition-free so students can apply regardless of their ability to pay.

We were so grateful to receive grants to cover costs from the Royal Bank of Canada and American Water Charitable Foundation. Then we found a great partner in the Pingry School, the recent purchaser of the large residential campus in Pottersville that formerly housed the Purnell School.

The inaugural class of Environmental Leaders Academy students was chosen through a competitive process. Applicants were asked to submit essays explaining why they were interested in the program, as well as recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors. Every single student was amazing!

We had three main goals for the camp. The first was to present students with information about the range of potential careers in the environmental field, including those in science, policy, land stewardship, education and the arts.

The second was to help each student find their personal strengths and areas of greatest interest. To that end, we are matching each student with a mentor to provide expert guidance throughout the coming school year. The third goal is to foster lasting connections and friendships among campers, so these like-minded teens can remain a support group for one another in the future.

The Royal Bank of Canada grant for the Environmental Leaders Academy runs for two years, meaning there is certain to be another camp – this one for 20 students – in the summer of 2025. We would like to bring back some of this year’s campers to serve as “student guides” next year and hope to secure funding to keep the residential camp thriving far beyond that.

By all measures, the first Environmental Leaders Academy camp was an overwhelming success!