Igniting the Conservation Flame: A Teen's Journey at Texas Brigades Camp

It was a hot summer day in June when I arrived at Chaparrosa Ranch in La Pryor for my first day as a cadet in the 23rd Battalion of South Texas Buckskin Brigade. From the moment I stepped out of the car with my suitcase packed for the week, I was sweating from head to toe.
I had no idea what to expect and knew not a soul of the more than 25 teenagers who were gathered for the same adventure. As we began to settle in, we were introduced to our new “herds,” our teams for the remainder of the week, and given a variety of tools and supplies for our learning experience to begin.

Not long after arrival, we were deep in outdoor activities, beginning with exploring the anatomy of white-tailed deer so we could understand more about how the animals process food and nutrients. I learned that deer have a four-chambered stomach.
Who knew?
The following day was our first full day of camp, and when I say full … I mean full. We started with breakfast, which was immediately followed by marching practice, a daily ritual (featuring a vocal cadence) that fostered team bonding and leadership skills. The rest of the days were full of more outdoor activities, ranging from archery and target practice to learning about native plants that deer eat. We were kept busy with hands-on learning activities from daylight to sundown, when we moved indoors for more educational classroom activities which sometimes kept me up after my usual bedtime.
It was hot. It was long. It was a lot. But it was the most educational out-of-school experience that I have had. I enjoyed every minute of the five-day camp, except maybe collecting plants in the Texas heat. But even that was interesting.
I wanted to attend this camp because I enjoy wildlife and outdoor activities in my daily life. I wanted to learn more so I could teach my kids and grandkids about conservation. This camp did not disappoint. What I was not expecting was the desire to continue learning about conservation and sharing that information with others outside of my immediate circle. I now believe that it is the responsibility of our generation to educate others on the importance of wildlife in our environment and to be the leaders who can continue to push conservation efforts across the nation and call for the protection of our natural resources.
I highly recommend this experience to any teenager who is interested in wildlife conservation. Texas Brigades has a variety of camps available each summer, each one focusing on different species such as deer, bass, waterfowl, quail, coastal fisheries and livestock production. If anyone asked me for advice regarding attending a Texas Brigades camp, I would have two things to say. Number one, go. It is the most eye-opening experience you will ever have outside of a classroom. Number two, bring sunscreen and a hat. It's hot.
Camps are open to teens aged 13-17. The application period is open Nov. 1 through March 15. For more information on Texas Brigades and the camp offerings, visit www.texasbrigades.org.