SHS Boys Start Club to Promote Love of Outdoors

Published in the Scarsdale Inquirer
By SARAH KOCH

Inspired by Adventure Treks, an outdoor summer backpacking program,
two seniors at Scarsdale High School have found a way to spread their knowledge
and enthusiasm of the outdoors to younger kids. Last year, Branden Wachtel and David Hyman founded the Outdoors Club, a free after-school club for elementary school children in Scarsdale to learn about the outdoors and explore their love for nature. Wachtel and Hyman are co-presidents of the club and have offered four programs so far - two at Fox Meadow and two at Greenacres.

"We both grew up in Scarsdale," said Hyman in a recent interview, "so when
we were in elementary school we weren't really exposed to the same kind of experiences that we are trying to give to elementary students now. We were more
exposed to wilderness and nature by the Adventure Treks program. We just try to
hit them early and get that motivation."

"The whole goal of the program is to bring the concept of going outside to the
kids; not just to play soccer or to go on a jungle gym," Wachtel said, "but to appreciate it and learn more about it."

Weekly meetings begin with one of many active games, such as base tag, a blindfolded obstacle course led by a partner, or a scavenger hunt. "The group building activities are really useful in the wilderness," said Hyman, because these skills are important when you're backpacking with a group of people. I think the games really helped the kids work together." The leaders have also taught map orientation and how to use a compass, as well as other skills that are helpful in the woods.

Each of the four programs has been different. "We try to make them new and exciting each time because we're trying to give the kids the broadest overlook," Wachtel said. "We didn't really follow a schedule."

Hyman and Wachtel initially had trouble finding other high school students
who wanted to participate in the club. "We tried to go to friends and people
who shared our interest in the outdoors. We found five great people and it's been
a lot of fun," said Wachtel. "We've tried to give everyone an opportunity to lead
the program." Other members of the SHS Outdoors Club are seniors Jonah Garry,
Michael Perry and Charlie Schwartz.

"All of us are very interested in climbing and hiking and working with younger
kids," added Hyman. "It's been a lot of fun to work with them." Typically, five of the club members lead programs for the elementary school children, but in total there are about 15 or 20 high school students involved in the Outdoors Club. Not only do they lead the programs for younger students, but they also volunteer with manual labor at the Weinberg Nature Center, cleaning up parking lots and spreading woodchips on trails~ The members of the club who cannot lead the after-school programs due to extracurricular conflicts like to help at the nature center. Within the next week, the club members plan to clear more trails at Weinberg.

The leaders have been working closely with science teacher Jennifer Wagner, the group's club adviser, who has been of great help to the club. "She helps us a
lot with the planning of the program during the week," Wachtel said. "She has
helped with the administrative side, setting up the program with the schools for
us." Both Wachtel and Hyman feel very lucky to have had such a supportive, enthusiastic teacher by their side.

"Leading the programs has been really fun," Hyman said. "It's been challenging
at times because Scarsdale doesn't really have the reputation of being outdoors
all the time. It's been hard to find a group of kids to continue going on trips
and working with the kids and cleaning up parks. I think the kids really enjoy it
at the schools, though," which is why several of the kids have returned for a
second program, after enjoying it the first time around.

The co-presidents hope that their efforts will encourage the kids to continue pursuing a love for nature. "One of the primary objectives is just to get people
outside," said Wachtel. "The students learn all of these new games we hope
that they will use with their friends along the line and broaden their appreciation of nature."

Wachtel said the Outdoors Club adviser is looking for SHS students to take
over next year after the current seniors graduate. Any student interested should
contact Wagner or write .to shsoutdoorsclub@gmail.com. The club is also doing volunteer work at the Weinberg Nature Center this Saturday, Dec. 12 and Wachtel said anyone who would like to help can just show up that day between noon and 4p.m.