For my senior project I learned how to minimalist camp and implement bushcraft skills while camping. I had never slept in a tent prior to my senior project so it was important to me to learn some survival skills. I researched fire, food, shelter, etc. I had lots of trial and error throughout my senior project to learn what works best in the wilderness. I had lots of personal growth and I’m excited to see myself use these skills beyond my senior project.
Throughout my senior project I learned many things about myself. The biggest thing I learned was that I love camping! I had no idea how much fun cooking over a fire was and the excitement of eating your own foraged food. After harvesting plants and shooting a hog, my meal tasted better than I’d it were all from a store. That food on the table had been worked hard for. I have grown as a person throughout my project. Before this project, I would have never eaten a plant from the woods. My bravery has grown throughout my project by sleeping in the woods, eating plants that I foraged myself, and hunting and preparing meat on my own. My personal growth in the outdoors has grown tremendously.
Throughout my senior project I had high points and low points. The highest point for me was my time with Amy Braun. She taught me all about edible plants in the Vermont woods. I am thankful for my time with her and eager to learn more. I low point throughout my senior project was failing to make fire in the beginning. I could get a fire going, but keeping it strong enough for food was a really big struggle for me. Eventually, I figured it out. It took a allot of research and trials to master. I handled myself well during the research portion of my project. Reading is not something I find enjoyable and the research for my project involved a lot of reading. I am proud of myself for investing quality time in the research books I read. I could have handled myself better when I first started to camp. Any little noise I heard during the night would spook me and I’d second-guess my senior project. I eventually learned that branches and wind make a lot of noise and that I’d be okay.
I was happy to work with Patrick Martin on my senior project. He was able to help me set a plan and create goals that I could complete over the course of the summer. His guidance was helpful and kept me on track. Another person that I am thankful for throughout this process is Amy Braun. Her knowledge on Vermont plants completely changed my perspective on plants in Vermont. I had no clue how many plants we can eat in our own backyards. Her guidance was helpful and much appreciated.
When I was writing my research paper, I learned many things about gender bias in the outdoor community. The percentage of women enjoying the outdoors is significantly lower than men, the percentage of parents introducing their daughters to the outdoors over their sons is low, and children who are girls are a lot less likely to have strong connections to the outdoors then young boys. I assumed these results already, but lots of research has proved that there is still a huge gender bias in the outdoor community. I hope to see this change as I age.
If I were to return to the beginning of this project and give myself some advice, it would be “slow down.” I got really excited for this project and completed a lot of it way back in June of 2021.bi would have liked to see myself enjoy my summer a little more and worry about my senior project a little less. If I could start over, I think I would change my topic. I loved my topic, but if I had to re-start now, I would change my topic to relate to horses somehow. Everybody told me I had to learn something new and research, I think I could have done something about horses. If I had more time to complete my project, I would have built a more intricate shelter with my Grandfather. Unfortunately, his work has sent him to Los Angeles for two months. He was supposed to help me build a shelter but got sent to L.A.
I think overall I had a lot of personal growth, reached many goals, and learned a lot about myself. I am glad I chose minimalist camping and I hope to continue camping beyond my senior project. I am thankful for the opportunity to research foods in Vermont, gender bias in the outdoor community, and test my research in action! I am excited for presentation night.