hands-on learning

HBGC Partner Testimonial

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This summer, we partnered with the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club (HBGC) for the third year to offer hands-on outdoor programs to their middle school club members. Groups visited our Berkshires site twice for Learn About Forests™ programming and participated in follow-up experiences in the city, including trail stewardship and urban birding. Justin Bresnahan, Program Coordinator, has been an integral part of making these experiences available to youth at HBGC. Read his reflection on the 2021 summer program below.

I’ve been connected with Eagle Eye since the summer of 2019. I initially knew nothing about the program, as it was my first time running a teen summer camp, and I quickly fell in love with how involved, caring, and passionate everyone was at every level of the organization. It is eye-opening to see the outcomes when youth who don’t think of the trees in their neighborhood park as nature begin getting immersed in the natural world that surrounds them. These youth, some of whom had never climbed a tree in their life, now at the end of the summer seriously consider a job in environmental protection.

It’s incredible to see the youth exit their comfort zone in an environment where they aren’t being judged and they are allowed to be kids again in this fast-paced world. I remember the faces the youth made when they took their shoes and socks off and walked around the forest for the first time barefoot. The laughing and bewilderment at how soft the forest floor was beneath their feet and their groans and eww’s as the mud crept between their toes are memories they and I will cherish forever.

Eagle Eye is without question one of the most important programs we have partnered with in many years, and will continue to be for many years to come.

Justin Bresnahan, Program Coordinator, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke

2021 Intern Reflections: Gab

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Gab is a junior studying Natural Resource Conservation with a focus on Wildlife Conservation at UMass Amherst. They first heard about Eagle Eye from a peer advisor at UMass, Gabby Gracia, who interned with Eagle Eye in 2019. Gab is part of the STEM Ambassadors Program at UMass, a mentorship program for historically underrepresented students in the STEM fields.

I discovered Eagle Eye fairly coincidentally, by looking through the personal statements of the peer advisors, one of whom had been an intern with Eagle Eye in 2019. Through browsing the Eagle Eye website, I learned about the mission to connect all youth with nature and conserve MountainStar Forest, a mission that deeply resonated with me and aligns with my career goals of working in wildlife conservation. When I learned of the summer internship program, I was eager to be a part of Eagle Eye’s mission, and I am immensely grateful to have been given that opportunity. 

Eagle Eye’s site is on an incredibly beautiful natural landscape, whose isolation encourages a depth of self-reflection that is seldom possible elsewhere. Being immersed in the outdoors everyday, sleeping in tents, stewarding the trails, and eating vegetables from the garden fosters a necessary and mutually beneficial connection with the land that I will take with me always. Through working on building projects with [Eagle Eye Site Manager] Scott, I learned how to use new tools and drive a tractor. On our group walks along the trails, the Eagle Eye interns and staff shared plant and mushroom ID knowledge that we were then able to pass on to the youth with whom we worked on the Learn About Forests programs.

I think the opportunity to intern at Eagle Eye would benefit anyone looking to gain confidence in the outdoors, great personal and professional connections, and experience in carpentry, youth work, and communal living. It is an experience I won’t forget.

2021 Intern Reflections: Julia

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Julia Boral recently graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in American Studies, where she focused on intersections of race, class, gender, tourism, and memory studies. Julia first learned about Eagle Eye through social media while she was researching her senior thesis. Her interview with Foundation Team member Chris Cato lives on her project website, which highlights outdoor equity organizations across the country.

I arrived at Eagle Eye in the midst of a new chapter of my life. I recently graduated from college and have been thinking about possible future life paths. I am uncertain about next steps, but Eagle Eye offered an ideal place to reset, reflect, and reconnect with peace and the natural world. 

Upon arriving at Eagle Eye’s site in Peru, I was immediately struck by its beauty. The green fields, flower beds, and large garden were a welcome sight each morning. As I continued exploring the site, the paths in the forest became favorite spots for me to stroll. Walking through the woods, I took in the large trees, birdsong, the feel of the breeze, and the stream rushing nearby. Journaling and sketching surrounded by these sights and sounds provided me the opportunity to be more present in my immediate environment. Living at Eagle Eye for three and a half weeks gave me the opportunity to slow down and appreciate smaller moments of beauty that I don’t always notice while living in a city. 

As an intern at Eagle Eye, I learned many new aspects about myself from the physical and mental challenges I experienced. Lifting logs for building projects, navigating a new kitchen set up, and living in a communal setting all tested me in unexpected ways. While helping run youth programs and working with a team I learned to trust that other people will be there to support. I am often an independent person and learned that leaning on my team of interns for help even when I felt the urge to act independently alleviated some of the stresses of time management. Accepting help and being flexible in a new environment were some skills I honed over time while at Eagle Eye and will carry with me into future endeavors. I also found that I enjoy working with kids and was in awe of their wonder and curiosity upon digging for newts and frolicking in the rain. I want to carry these joyful moments of innocence and glee with me into the future. 

Overall, I had an amazing time as an Eagle Eye intern. This program fostered close friendships and was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. Sharing laughter around the dinner table, dancing up the road to Lady Gaga, and splashing in the waterfall were all memorable bonding moments. I recommend this internship to any college student or recent grad who seeks a place to connect with nature, gain new skills and build on existing ones, all while getting to know some pretty cool people. I look forward to seeing how I carry what I have learned at Eagle Eye into the future. 

2021 Intern Reflections: Lindsey

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Lindsey Robison is a junior at UMass Amherst studying Natural Resource Conservation and Education. She first got connected to Eagle Eye through an Environmental Leadership class at UMass, where she helped develop and lead a lesson on sustainability for our Eagle Club after-school program in fall 2020.

My time at Eagle Eye has been beneficial to me on a professional level, but has also allowed me to achieve the personal growth I have been striving for. I came to Eagle Eye initially because I was interested in environmental education, but upon learning about the internship, I was intrigued by all of the components. I’ve always been interested in carpentry, and getting that experience has confirmed that it is something I want to pursue. I also came in wanting to expand my knowledge of the outdoors and camping, which I definitely achieved. As a Natural Resource Conservation and Education Major, I was able to gain invaluable experience working with kids and expand my knowledge of the outdoors.  

On a personal level, the Eagle Eye site is a truly idyllic place that allowed me to take a step back from day-to-day distractions and focus entirely on my mentality. I think the Eagle Eye Residential Internship is a great opportunity for college students to immerse themselves in nature and form a deeper connection with themselves and disconnect from the fast-paced world we live in. Not only did my experience here reinforce my love for nature, but I also gained skills in carpentry, trail stewardship, youth work, and vegan cooking, all of which I was interested in. I also formed meaningful relationships with the other interns and staff. I would recommend any college student interested in the outdoors to apply to this internship.

Learning to trust myself

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Alexander Voisine is a rising sophomore at Holyoke Community College studying Environmental Science. Growing up in Belchertown, he was connected to nature from a young age, exploring the forests and natural areas around his home. Later, he passed on his love for nature to younger students in the Ecomentors program at Belchertown High School. Alec plans to continue his education at UMass Amherst, exploring his interests in the natural sciences and education.

While at Eagle Eye, Alec developed a lesson on aquatic ecology with his fellow intern Jenna Shea and took the lead on designing and constructing interpretive signs for a collaborative intern project.

Below is Alexander’s reflection on the 2020 internship program.

This opportunity taught me a lot about myself and nature, as well as how to bring the experience of nature to others. I plan to bring a lot home with me when I leave. For starters, I plan to bring home the dairy-free part of the diet. I was surprised how well my body felt after a transition to this new way of eating! While we’ve been here, we’ve acquired many new skills, as well as developed existing ones. Working on the deck for the cabin, for instance, allowed me to gain hands-on skills with tools I don’t use very often. 

There is one last thing I’ll take home with me that I’ve discovered while I’ve been here. I stepped out of my car a different person than I am today. I had an idea for my life, but no real sense of direction. As I spent time here, I began to see myself differently, thanks to Cass and my fellow interns. With the feedback they gave me, as well as taking time to reflect, I was able to discover new skills I never knew I had, and I learned to trust myself and my goals. I now plan to explore school and careers with this new confidence and these uncovered skills. 

Being out in nature for three weeks has allowed me to reflect on myself and learn to trust my skills and knowledge. I also found that teaching and the environment are both things I enjoy and plan to investigate education and careers in that direction. This internship is very valuable for college students. It can teach you new skills, hone existing ones, give you a new perspective on yourself, and provide a feeling of community.

Perfect moments

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Charlie Mark is a part-time student at alternative school LightHouse Holyoke. She loves being in nature and dreams of being a writer one day. Charlie participated in Eagle Eye’s hands-on learning and stewardship programs with her school the past two years and this year, completed our week-long Teen Internship.

Our Teen Internship program gives teens an opportunity to camp for a week, disconnect from personal technology, learn hands-on outdoor skills, practice sustainable and low-impact living, and build independence and self-confidence.

Charlie worked on projects alongside our college interns, including trail stewardship, using a sawmill to make lumber, natural art, organic vegetable gardening, and plant-based camp cooking. She participated in self-reflection, journaling, and discussion around her personal experience with nature and community.

Below is her reflection on her Teen Internship experience.

I have been waiting since last year to come to this internship. Usually throughout day-to-day life I stumble upon perfect little moments, like a breath of calm or a funny joke, just something to look back on and smile. These perfect moments come about once or twice a day on good weeks and less so on bad ones. Looking back at this past week trying to figure out what to keep with me forever, I seem to only remember one or two moments a day that weren’t perfect. It was little things, like eating together every evening, to big things like a hemlock tree that is hundreds of years old, that made this week so perfect. That’s what I’ll be talking home with me, memories of this beautiful place. I’ll bring home this way of taking a step back from the stress of technology and just seeing the world. Eagle Eye has let me live a few stress-free days of being in nature, for which I will always be grateful.

2019 Intern Reflections: Madi

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Eagle Eye’s Residential Summer Internship is a unique experience for college students to live and work outdoors for six weeks, practice sustainable living, and connect with themselves, others, and nature in a beautiful forest environment. The internship offers a dual experience to develop hands-on land management and outdoor skills and gain outdoor education and mentoring experience with youth and teens ages 8-18.

Below is a recent reflection from 2019 Residential Intern Madi McCarthy of UMass Amherst. Madi is a junior majoring in Psychology and Education.

Working with Eagle Eye this past summer was one of the most impactful experiences I have been lucky enough to have had. I gained so many life skills, underwent personal growth, and made life-long connections with very special people. This summer helped me realize that I want to pursue a career in education, especially in an urban community. Working with the youth will have a lasting impact on me, because I saw how much nature can affect youth. I was also able to hold the Champion role and lead a youth program. That was one of the most intimidating things I have done, but also such a great learning experience!

When the youth were not on site, we worked to maintain the site. [Site Manager] Scott taught me so many skills that I never had exposure to before. I leaned how to operate various tools and create a lot, including helping to finish a cabin! Doing trail stewardship daily helped me learn the skills behind land management, give back, and appreciate the land more overall.

During the internship, I was able to establish healthy routines and a healthy lifestyle. Cooking and eating good food, meditating daily, and having group check-ins and feedback with everyone during the week helped me to realize that I can apply these routines to my daily life in college. Since the internship, I have been back at UMass and the routines that I established this summer, such as daily meditation, yoga, and journaling, have all stuck with me more than ever. It has had a big impact on my well-being.

The deadline to apply for the Residential Summer Internship is Friday, April 17th, 2020, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Read the full internship description here and contact us to learn more!

2019 Intern Reflections: Gabby

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It’s a new year, there’s snow on the ground, and it’s time to start thinking about our 2020 summer internship. Below is a recent reflection from 2019 Residential Intern Gabby Gracia of UMass Amherst. Gabby is a junior majoring in Natural Resource Conservation with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.

Working with Eagle Eye was a breath of literal fresh air that took me away from a very fast-paced and stressed-out life. Having a routine everyday was something that made me feel secure, and I loved working on Eagle Eye’s site. The tight-knit community gave me a sense of security that I could not find outside of the site. 

Spending the day with the youth was refreshing because of the games and activities all of the interns got to lead. Leading 20 people is harder than it seems! Practicing the communication skills necessary to keep the day going smoothly was beneficial and has certainly helped me to express thoughts concisely and effectively outside of the internship. 

My favorite part of the internship was waking up and going to bed with the sun. I felt so connected to the Earth and being outside 24/7 made me realize that nature is so complex and beautiful. The youth definitely realized that as well. They asked so many thoughtful questions about our plant-based diet, the land, the program, and the stewardship work we completed. 

Overall, it is a very unique experience that creates opportunities for the youth and interns to connect with and appreciate nature in their own ways. 

We’re looking forward to working with our next group of interns! The residential summer internship is a unique experience that allows college students to reconnect with themselves, others, and nature in an immersive and intentional environment, while developing land management and youth education skills. Find out more about the summer internship here and contact us to learn more.

Finding Nature and Perspective in The City

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By Kristina Ferrara, Summer 2015 Intern

The way we perceive our world, ourselves, and each other affects our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with this world we all share. Living in the city provides its residents with a perspective on the world that is quite different from that provided by living on a farm or a cabin in the woods. One of the best things about the work Eagle Eye does is to provide new perspectives to those involved in the program. Many youth we work with have their first experience in nature with Eagle Eye, and it’s incredible to see how their new experience challenges and opens up their perspective on our world.  

One activity we do is to pay attention to the sounds we are able to hear in nature and compare them to what we normally hear in the city. We have the group spread out and find a spot to sit and listen to the sounds they can hear around them. We listen for soft sounds, loud sounds, those caused by insects, by animals, the wind, water. For a few minutes, we absorb the natural sounds all around us, allowing ourselves to feel completely immersed in our natural surroundings. After doing this activity, and going back home to the city, it’s amazing how many more natural sounds we’re able to hear. If we listen hard, blended into the car horns, sirens, and general chatter, we can hear birds, the wind blowing through leaves, bees buzzing in flowers. Appreciating these natural sounds in our city environment is important to realize how connected we still are even when in the city. It challenges our perspective that the city is separate from nature and allows us to feel more connected to our world.

Coming from the suburbs of New Jersey, surrounded by farmland, woods, parks, and creeks, feeling a connection to nature while in the city was something particularly important for me. Growing up, my friends and I spent the vast majority of our time outside exploring nature. Whether it was hiking in the nearby woods, splashing around in the creeks, or searching for fossils at the fossil beds, we were always on some type of outdoor adventure. Nature has always been the place where I feel most connected not only to the rest of the world but also to my own thoughts and emotions. For me, nature is where I go whenever I need to take some time to ground myself and get a better perspective on whatever is going on in my life. My first few months living in Boston, it was really hard for me to adjust to city life. Being surrounded by buildings when I was used to being surrounded by trees made me feel quite small and cut-off from the natural world. Working with Eagle Eye has helped change my perspective of being separate from nature by helping me see how connected we still are even in the city.

Feeling connected to the natural environment is important for our mind, body, and soul as individuals, but also for our world as a whole. I believe that it is through the feeling of connection and love for nature that stewardship blooms. If you’re asked to give back to or care about the environment when you’ve never been able to experience and appreciate its beauty, it’s much harder to be enthusiastic and passionate about getting involved. When we feel connected to the environment, when we’ve been immersed in its beauty and we have seen firsthand its importance, then, and only then, do we feel compelled to act.

The most rewarding part of working with Eagle Eye, for me, is seeing the desire to give back grow in our youth participants.  Their perspectives on nature change – they no longer view nature as something separate and distant to themselves, but as an integral part of us all. Youth recognize that by protecting nature they, in turn, are protecting all life on earth, including their own, and this transformation in perspective is an incredible thing to be a part of.

Partnership, Stewardship, & Mentorship

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By Jose Sanchez, 2014 Spring Intern

For the past six months, I have been privileged to work with Eagle Eye Institute as an intern through Northeastern University’s Co-op program. Working in the office and leading youth programs I have witnessed the incredible passion it takes to make partnerships come to life. In particular, I am most proud to have been given the opportunity to help lead the first youth programming at Medford High School (MHS).

The formation of this new EAGLE (Earth Advocates Green Leaders for the Environment) Club was made possible with the help of MHS’s headmaster, John Perella, and physical education teacher, Matt Galusi, who are both focused on getting students and staff engaged in outdoor education. The 3,400-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation is located right behind the school, which would lead one to believe that it is commonly used by the Medford High community. Unfortunately, a large portion of the school community is unfamiliar with their forested reserve. The MHS EAGLE Club aims to connect the school community with their backyard oasis of natural beauty, wildlife, and ecological prosperity.

This past spring, over 40 MHS juniors and seniors spent their weekly gym periods learning about the ecology of the Fells while playing an active role in maintaining its integrity as part of an “Outdoor Pursuits” physical education elective. EAGLE Club lessons included vernal pool ecology, preservation and protection, invasive species removal, tree identification, water quality, and trail maintenance. Throughout the program we introduced concepts of environmental stewardship and related them back to youths’ daily lives.

Some of the students involved in this programming were inspired to take part in additional stewardship projects Eagle Eye offered in the Lawrence Woods section of the Fells when school was out in June. During these completely voluntary work days, we focused on invasive species removal, water bar installations, and the construction of a foot bridge along one of the trails leading from the high school. Students actively played a role in improving their community and protecting their environment – choosing to take their free time to connect with and care for nature.

Since the start of my internship I have grown both professionally and personally. Working with students so close in age to myself has caused me to reflect on the path I have taken since high school and figure out why I made the choices that led to my present course in life. For example, the first time EAGLE Club met as a class, students asked why I chose to study environmental science and why I chose to go to Northeastern University. I felt a deep searching and sincerity in their questions and it led me to some deep thinking on the matter. I realized I was in a unique position to be an example for the students. I recognized that they are on the verge of figuring out who they want to be in this world, what colleges or career paths they want to head on to – a position I so recently was in myself. I was amazed to realize that through sharing of myself, I might be able to help them navigate their own choices.

After giving my canned response initially, I came back the next week and shared truthfully and with full conviction. I told the students that my passion for the environment has been a recent discovery that is constantly widening and evolving. I conveyed how my love for the natural world caused me to change majors, colleges, and cities in order to be in the position that I am now. I shared with them my memories of exploring my dad’s old hunting grounds in upstate New York and my family camping trips to Letchworth State Park – where I first found the peace and comfort that nature continues to bring me today. I disclosed how I recently became aware of a strong connection between the natural world and my mental health. From the well of my honesty, students became comfortable enough to share their own hopes and desires for the future. I found the students that I made connections with seemed more able to step out of their comfort zones and become more involved in EAGLE Club activities. Slowly they were able to point out the role nature was playing in their lives and some said they wanted more connection with nature too.

I am blessed to have played an active role as leader and mentor in EAGLE Club. I was inspired by the students and the stewardship work we conducted. I was as transformed by the experience as some of the youth were. EAGLE Club was an opportunity for youth and adults to be directly connected with youth and each other – allowing nature to teach and be a conduit for sharing that couldn’t happen in the classroom. Eagle Eye and I are extremely excited to see how the partnership with Medford High School will grow and continue the important work of inspiring youth to care for the environment.