My adventures at Severson are coming to a close, and I will only have fond memories looking back at this place and all the great people I was able to spend my days with. Through the Americorps program I was able to educate the community on all things natural and having the opportunity to teach kids directly about all kinds of wonders the world has to offer. I cannot tell you the happiness I feel when I tell a kid a fun fact about the world and seeing their face light up with joy. The whole world is new to them and I was given the opportunity to teach about everything and anything I can. I plan to take all of what I learned from this job and apply it to everything I do in the future no matter what my future has in store for me.
FIELD NOTES BLOG
Alex's Farewell
Alex Lunde
September 18, 2024
.Teaching other people wasn’t the only opportunity I got to do at Severson. Some of the best things about working at Severson Dells Nature Center is the opportunity to experience and learn new things for myself. Our little community fosters the ability to continue to learn and grow from each other. I learned about so many specific fields and expanded my knowledge because of it. Even though everyone at Severson knew the Americorps positions are a temporary internship they still put so much effort into improving what I know and introducing things I don’t know. All because of the compassion they hold for me and the scientific world at large. They showed me not just through their words but through their actions, the importance of teaching anyone who wants to learn.
Closing this out I just want to say thank you to all my wonderful friends at Severson Dells. Every single one of them put so much effort into making the best environment for learning (for guests and Americorps like me). No matter where I go in the future I will remember them all fondly.
Thank you Andrea, Liz, Ann, Laura, Becca, Bryce, Emma, Elly, Jillian, Asia, Connie, Mary, Alex, Holly and Mason. Each and everyone of you made Severson the wonderful place that it is. Keep being amazing!
I want to close out this final blog with a quote from Thomas Fuller “If thou hast knowledge, let others light their candle at thine.”
Knowledge is like a candle, lighting another candle doesn’t diminish the first one but spreads the heat and light to reach farther. Everyone at Severson had their own candles of knowledge that they happily shared with me out of kindness and I appreciate them all greatly for it. Thank you to everyone at Severson for sharing your knowledge with me. I hope to light up every future place I go to with my own candle.
Thanks you all truly from the bottom of my heart, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful group of people to spend my time with!
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October – a month that starts with changing colors, apple orchards, and pumpkin spice and ends with candy and costumes on Halloween. In between we have the opportunity to observe National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Created in 2008 by an act of Congress and observed every year during the third week of October, the week is a reminder that we all need to prepare for the inevitable. If you’re like two-thirds of Americans, you lack a will or estate plan and the protective measures needed to safeguard your assets, future healthcare decisions or management of your finances. While it’s no fun to think about preparing for what might happen, the peace of mind you’ll experience when you are prepared is well worth the effort. Take time during the week of October 21 – 27 to start making your plans. Consider these things: Who do you want to receive your assets? Who do you want to act as your executor? Who should receive your sentimental items? Who will look after your children or pets? Who is going to make your healthcare and financial decisions if you can’t? Next reach out to a trusted professional. Planning doesn’t have to be expensive and there are many on-line resources that can help you. We at Severson Dells Nature Center encourage you to think about how you want to leave a legacy. Are there causes you care about today that will still need your financial assistance tomorrow? Whether you support nature education at Severson Dells or another cause close to your heart, use your will or estate plan to help them when you’re no longer here. If you love what Severson Dells Nature Center does, consider joining our Heritage Society . This group is made up of folks who have included the nature center in their long-term financial plans. By connecting with them now, we make sure their wishes will be fulfilled and honored when the time comes. And the generosity of Heritage Society members serves as an inspiration to others who care about our mission of connecting people to nature and growing the future stewards of our environment. Contact me with questions about supporting Severson Dells today, tomorrow and far into the future. And Happy National Estate Planning Awareness Week!
As the summer camp season comes to a close, creek shoes are dried, crayons are put away, and our staff reflect on their summer of directing and supporting Severson Dells camp. This summer, they led and assisted with 9 weeks of summer camp programs that reached 211 campers! Out of the many adventures this season, here are some of their highlights and what they learned along the way.
When I started at Severson Dells nearly two years ago, I never would have believed I’d still be here today. What was supposed to be a short detour turned into one of the meaningful positions I have served. These years have flown by, and as I sit down to write this farewell, I keep circling back to my early days here. It feels important to revisit that beginning, because in so many ways, it shaped everything that followed.
