Paying It Forward
As a Teen LEADER veteran, I’ve had the opportunity to
participate in truly unique experiences that make for great memories. I’ve
traveled, canoed, and cleaned up local rivers, but no experience has been more
rewarding than working the Activity Station cart. Through working with young
zoo visitors at the cart, I’ve learned that the true basis of making a change
is simple—interaction and influence. It is there, during the hot summer, at the
zoo, behind the cart where I feel closest to the cause of inspiring people to
help our environment in simple, everyday ways.
As a student, a daughter, and a teenager, I’m always
being taught and always being influenced—never
really influencing. Sure, I’m getting
smarter and growing wiser every day, but what good are knowledge and wisdom if they
are never shared? When I’m out at the cart, sharing my experience, knowledge,
and awareness with both children and parents alike, I feel like it’s all worth
something. Last Tuesday, my friend Sam and I were at the cart doing a simple
activity that illustrates the function of blubber using a glove filled with
Crisco and ice water. A small figurine of a harbor seal sat on the cart, which
drew the attention of a very young girl. Before the activity, I asked her what
animal it was. Without hesitation, she said, “Pacific harbor seal”. I was
shocked—this girl was still in diapers! Her interest and specificity at such a
young age inspired me to share what I know with children even more.
Similar to our cart activities, the childhood stories’ ability
to simplify complicated morals and concepts that are growing more and more
complex with time astounds me. I take these concepts to heart, and love the
simplicity with which I am able to educate children on unfortunate issues that
generations of today will leave in their hands to fix.
Stay Young,
Hunter Laningham
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