A "Point-ed" Conversation

Character inspires campers to try harder to recycle

By Johnny Wideman

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s … Cap’n Green--Glenbrook Day Camp’s newest attempt at making the camp grounds as “green” as possible.

Sporting green tights, a green mask, and a green cape (made entirely out of reused materials), the not-so-super hero (whose identity remains a mystery) takes to the picnic tables every day between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to inspire staff members and campers to create a litter-free camp environment.

The day camp has long promoted litter-less lunches, but after many Friday night litter walks, it was obvious that something special was needed to spur interest in the campers.

Through an elaborate system, Cap’n Green awards points to each group for their environmental cooperation, including litter-less lunches (packed entirely in reusable containers), boomerang lunches (taking home one’s trash), recycling and composting; bonus points are awarded for picking up litter. The reward is an official Glenbrook Day Camp Green Scene bandana made entirely from organic cotton.

“It’s all worth it when I see how excited the kids get,” states Cap’n Green. “Just last week, a little boy named Ryan chased me down with a huge smile on his face. He hoisted up a cotton grocery bag filled to the brim with litter and told me that he had spent the entire evening picking up litter around his block.” Needless to say Ryan’s group won the bandanas.

Sarah Dougald, Director of Glenbrook Day Camp has, “noticed a great improvement in the dedication that the staff [members] and campers have towards the environment” and the recycling initiative that Cap’n Green has launched. Not only is there noticeably less litter on the Friday night walks, but there is also a camp-wide enthusiasm towards being “green.” With, “caring for the land” built right into the mission statement, the day camp is excited to continue striving to keep its environmental initiatives a priority.

For a deeper look into the life of Cap’n Green, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkhfgyFWK8&feature=player_embedded

Glenbrook is a not-for-profit day camp that has been in operation since 1968 and serves up to 400 campers every week. For more information, visit www.glenbrookdaycamp.com.

Johnny Wideman is the peace director at Glenbrook Day Camp. He can be reached via e-mail at johnnywideman@hotmail.com.