In this digital age, where everyone, including young people, carries a smartphone and spends several hours daily in front of a screen, the importance of introducing young people to the joys of outdoor activities is paramount. The Whiptail Trails Club of the Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA), is dedicated to achieving this goal.
The Whiptail Trails Club fulfills two primary objectives: it provides in-class instruction to seventh-grade students followed by outdoor excursions, and it organizes weeklong summer camps specifically for girls. In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, the PLIA is committed to helping young individuals engage with nature at a critical time in their lives, thereby connecting them with the natural world during an essential time in their development.
Whiptail Trails Club — Working with Schools
PLIA and its partners collaborate with schools across New Mexico to provide classroom sessions focused on nature and based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) standards for seventh graders. Some of these sessions also include artistic elements, thus transforming them into STEAM lessons. These educational modules build a foundation of knowledge that students utilize during follow-up field trips with PLIA leaders.
For example, students learn about native plants, their varied uses by Indigenous communities, the rules of plant collecting, and express their learning through watercolor paintings of plants they observe in the field. Additionally, the principles of Leave No Trace are taught to ensure students’ outdoor activities minimally impact the environment.
Other in-class activities include wildlife demonstrations and hands-on experiences related to Indigenous and Spanish cultures. On field trips, activities like outdoor scavenger hunts or crafts are often integrated, offering a comprehensive learning experience.
The Whiptail Trails Club, in its educational endeavors, selects destinations near the participating schools for their presentations. Students in Las Cruces, for instance, may explore the Dripping Springs Natural Area, while those in Albuquerque might head to Petroglyph National Monument.
A significant benefit to schools is that PLIA covers all costs related to these classroom visits and field trips, including transportation. The program primarily targets low-income Title 1 schools, focusing on students who may have limited financial resources and less exposure to camping and outdoor activities.
These lessons are specifically aligned with state STEM requirements, making them an engaging and captivating addition to the school curriculum. Moreover, this initiative grants students the invaluable experience of stepping beyond their classrooms and screens to discover the natural world around them, fostering a connection with the outdoors.
To find out about inviting the Whiptail Trails Club to your school or classroom, visit the website.
The Public Lands Interpretive Association is a nonprofit dedicated to enlightening and motivating visitors to America’s public territories.
Located at 6501 4th Street Northwest, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM, 87107
Story sponsored by Public Lands Interpretive Association PLIA
Camping with Whiptail Trails Club
Another exhilarating aspect of the Whiptail Trails Club is its cost-free summer camp specifically for girls entering or leaving seventh grade. That’s right, it’s completely free! The camp covers all necessities, including transportation, camping equipment, and food for the participants.
This week-long camp aims to empower girls and build their confidence in the outdoors. Before heading to the camp, the girls participate in lessons about public lands, wildlife, and essential survival skills. Following this, they delve into the wilderness to enhance their skill set, engaging in activities like orienteering, outdoor cooking, backpacking, and first-aid. They might also visit historical sites or conduct dendrochronology, the study of determining a tree’s age through its tree-rings.
Such an experience can be transformative, helping a young girl discover a new aspect of herself: a person who revels in outdoor adventures and relishes experiencing nature firsthand.
To learn more about this opportunity, visit the PLIA website.
The Whiptail Trails Club Can Use Your Support
The Whiptail Trails Club benefits from funding provided by the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund and the support of private individuals and corporate donors. Additionally, the club enjoys backing from staff and interns from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as well as from the collaborative efforts of Conservation Corps New Mexico.
PLIA relies on the kindness of generous individuals, organizations, and businesses to help facilitate these programs. If you are interested in empowering students to explore the outdoors, there are two main ways to support the program: you can make a financial donation or purchase items from the PLIA online store.
Read about PLIA’s Fort Craig virtual reconstruction project here.