[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.1″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”0px||9px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”0px||24px|||”]<\/p>\n
Thanks to a 2022 Go Outside Fund<\/a> grant, Jonathan Coronado, a recent graduate of Escuela Verde high school in Milwaukee, led a three-day camping trip at Potawatomi State Park for 12 students. Jonathan completed his senior thesis project on the camping trip’s impact on the students\u2019 connection to nature.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Read on to hear Jonathan’s experience leading students on the camping trip, and his own personal experience connecting to the outdoors.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-2023-10-19T111959.749.png” alt=”Escuela Verde students resting during a hike” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 2023 10 19T111959.749″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”||13px|||”]<\/p>\n Jonathan and his fellow students resting during a hike. Photo by Larissa Bogle-Boesigner<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n My name is Jonathan Coronado. I\u2019m a recent graduate of Escuela Verde High School<\/a> in Milwaukee. I received a Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin grant to take students from Escuela Verde on a camping trip.<\/p>\n When I was younger I didn’t do much, I barely liked going outside. I didn\u2019t like to be social and hated interaction with others. That didn\u2019t get any better when I got my PS4 – I didn\u2019t want to go to school, hated talking to people, and preferred to play video games. However, when I went to Escuela Verde I started to get bored with just playing games. I wanted something different. I became interested in trying and exploring new things in my life, like traveling and exploring some parts of the world, and just trying to enjoy my time being alive.<\/p>\n A pivotal experience that changed me was going camping at school in June of 2022. After that I wanted to do anything that involved camping. I just feel more relaxed when camping and I found that I sleep better when sleeping in a tent, on the ground. I feel camping is good because it can disconnect you from technology and reconnect you to nature.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-2023-10-19T112045.911.png” alt=”Escuela Verde students at a look out during a hike” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 2023 10 19T112045.911″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”||13px|||”]<\/p>\n Students at a lookout point during a hike. Photo by Larissa Bogle-Boesiger<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”0px||24px|||”]<\/p>\n As a senior at Escuela Verde I had to do a senior thesis project that tried to impact an issue or problem. I did research for my project and found that camping is shown to increase physical health, reduce stress, and help build confidence. Undeniably, the research backed up what I had experienced. So, I decided to take more students camping. I was so happy to get the grant to help pay for our camping trips.<\/p>\n In May 2023 I went bike camping as part of a school trip. All the students that went on the biking trip said during the trip they were pushed to their limits, but had fun. Then, I helped my teachers lead a camping trip in June 2023. We went to Potawatomi State Park. I helped the younger students set up their tents, build a fire, cook food, and go canoeing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-2023-10-19T112346.925.png” alt=”Two Escuela Verde students on a hiking trail next to a body of water” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 2023 10 19T112346.925″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”||13px|||”]<\/p>\n Two students smiling at the camera while on a hiking trail next to Lake Michigan. Photo by Larissa Bogle-Boesiger<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||2px|||”]<\/p>\n I am passionate about this topic because I found that it helped me at a time when I felt I hit a roadblock in my life where I was bored with life and needed something different. I think that this camping trip made an impact on the other students, too.<\/p>\n Here are some quotes that I gathered about the trip:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Antony” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n I\u2019m really glad I can do things like camping at EV. Being able to camp and go on trips makes me want to come to school.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_testimonial author=”Dede” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n I was really nervous about camping but it\u2019s been really fun. I really like everyone who came on the trip.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-2023-10-19T112206.731.png” alt=”students roasting marshmallows by the fire at camp” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 2023 10 19T112206.731″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ custom_padding=”||13px|||”]<\/p>\n Students roasting marshmallows by the fire at camp. Photo by Larissa Bogle-Boesiger<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Dominick” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n I\u2019ve camped with my family before but I really like camping with my friends.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_testimonial author=”Christopher” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n This is the best experience of my whole life. I can\u2019t wait to come back!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I can see from these quotes that the other students had a pivotal experience just like I did. I\u2019m happy and proud that I was able to help and inspire other students. I hope that they go on camping trips at school and with their families. I think that any of them could help lead another camping trip and keep the legacy of this trip going at Escuela Verde.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_team_member name=”Guest blogger” image_url=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mailchimp-Buttons-Template-2023-12-20T102556.254.png” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Recent graduate of Escuela Verde high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n For his senior thesis project, Jonathan researched the impacts of a camping trip on students’ connection to nature. Being in a leadership role increased Jonathan’s confidence and he made additional plans with his family to go camping over the summer!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n Thank you to NRF’s supporters who make work like this possible! Our members helped support this educational camping trip through the Go Outside Fund.<\/p>\n The Go Outside Fund<\/a> provides funding that helps connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs that facilitate getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies, or paying for transportation, substitute teachers, or educator costs.<\/p>\n Interested in supporting nature-based learning experiences? Donations to the fund can be made online at\u00a0www.WisConservation.org\/donate<\/a> and should be designated to the “Go Outside Fund.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/grants\/go-outside-fund\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Learn more about the Go Outside Fund” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jonathan’s changing relationship with the outdoors<\/h3>\n
The correlation between wellness and spending time outside<\/h3>\n
So how did the camping trip go?<\/h3>\n
<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Jonathan Coronado (he\/him\/his)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Supporting nature-based learning experiences<\/h3>\n