By teaching children sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices, educators make strides toward changing the future for the better. At summer camps, for example, children can learn about sustainable farming while exploring the world around them and breathing fresh air. Sarah Gamble ’13 will spend the summer as an intern for Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vt., where she will help run a series of camps. She is supported by the Joseph F. Anderson ’44 Internship Fund.
Working for the summer camp program at Shelburne Farms, Gamble will facilitate activities, teach and explore with campers. She looks forward to gaining experience as an educator and working with children while supporting environmental efforts. She spent the previous summer working for the Hamilton Community Farm, where she cultivated an interest in farming and gardening. Gamble, with Andrew Pape ’11, developed a comprehensive farm almanac to preserve the knowledge they gained through that summer's experience. At her current internship Gamble can share this interest with others, teaching younger children that “every person can impact the environment.” Meanwhile, this position provides her with the opportunity to strengthen her leadership skills and gain experience for the future.
Campers at Shelburne Farms take an active role in exploring the farm and helping with chores while learning about the environment. Gamble relates, “I think it’s especially important for kids to have an opportunity to get their hands dirty and run around outside and learn about the world around them, and what they can do to make it a better place.” She enjoys spending time with children and looks forward to facilitating this kind of nurturing yet educational environment.
Shelburne Farms is an environmental education center, working farm, and National Historic Landmark. Started in 1886 by William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb as a model agricultural estate, the beautiful property became a nonprofit educational center in 1972. Shelburne Farms is now dedicated to teaching sustainability and ethical agricultural practices through educational programs and hands-on experience for all ages. Meanwhile, the farm maintains an extensive market garden for fresh produce, a cheese-making dairy, and forested areas, all of which are run through sustainable practices.
Throughout the school year, Gamble, a comparative literature major, remains very involved in the community farm, she has a radio show on WHCL, writes occasionally for the Green Apple, serves as an Adirondack Adventure leader, and works at Café Opus and the library. She also enjoys photography, cross-country skiing, camping and reading.
Education about sustainable agriculture and environmental practices translates to a greener future. By teaching children about the environment and how to care for it, Gamble is helping future generations care for the earth. She looks forward to benefiting others and the environment while remaining involved in an activity she feels passionate about.
Sarah Gamble is a graduate of State College Area High School in Pennsylvania.
