This year, we were blessed with two incredible Summer Outdoor Ambassadors, Giavonni and Jamie. Giavonni was from International High School and Jamie was from Youth Empowerment Project. Our goal for this summer was to provide them with outdoor technical and professional skills they can use for years to come. They went fishing for the first time on a charter boat thanks to Salty Dog Charters and caught their limit in redfish. They went canoeing in City Park, Joe Brown Park, and Cane Bayou and learned basic belaying and wilderness first aid techniques. In addition, they visited with employees from Massey’s New Orleans and Canoe and Trail Adventures to learn about careers in the outdoors field and what these employers look for when hiring. They also shadowed a National Park Service ranger and learned how to test water quality at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Lastly, they went bouldering for the first time at New Orleans Boulder Lounge. It was great to see their confidence and excitement for the outdoors grow as the summer went on. Giavonni is headed to Bard College as a freshman while Jamie will stay on with LOOP NOLA as a part time employee, assisting us with school programs this fall. It was a successful summer and we look forward to what’s next for these two!
