Annie V: Serving In Nature

Annie V. is a freshman studying photography here at NIC. Annie came to the area to participate in a summer program called Re-Creation Unlimited: a program that she said has had very large impact on her life.

Annie V. is studying photography at NIC, though she said she hopes to study filmmaking as well in the future.

Re-creation Unlimited is a non-profit life-skills development program that offers internships at several parks and campgrounds across the Western United States. Annie participated in the program this last summer up at Priest lake and the Indian Creek and Lion’s Head campgrounds.  

Annie told stories of her time at the campground helping children with crafts and other daily programs like educational movies about bears and deer, as well as nature walks and story time. 

Weekly nature walks are a popular and educational part of the program at Priest lake.

For those serving at the camp like Annie, the schedule is routine. Wednesday through Sunday, the interns run programs for campers two to three times each day, with activities ranging from Chapel on Sunday mornings to Priest lake-style volleyball on the beach later in the day. Then Mondays and Tuesdays are the intern’s days off. Monday is a time to get out and do something fun like waterskiing, and Tuesday is their weekly trip to town for groceries. 

“They are looking for people who want to give.” Annie said about the interns for the program. “It’s not about you. It’s about the campers who are going to be there, it’s about how to help those children come together to make a craft. Or how to get them to laugh at a funny joke, or to appreciate nature, to be more appreciative and to get families together.” 

Annie V. said that “adulting” played such a large part of Re-Creation Unlimited that they even made socks to commemorate it.

Annie said that one of the most important things she learned during her time at Re-Creation Unlimited was how to really see people for who they were. “I never thought that I could observe people and then make decisions about them.” Annie said. “It’s not only stereotypes.” Annie hopes to serve with Re-Creation Unlimited again this coming summer.  

Students who are interested in participating in Re-Creation Unlimited can find more information on the website: www.re-creationonline.org.