Tommie and Theresa Berger
Sylvan Grove, Kan. Fisheries Biologist and Middle School Teacher

The Bergers have spent the last 23 years as volunteer organizers and teachers of the Outdoor Adventure Camp, a summer program Tommie designed with the Kansas Wildlife Federation. Their outdoor classroom has engaged more than 500 local youths in good stewardship of the land.

Tommie: “I wanted to be a game warden from the age of 6, when a tall, intimidating officer saw me with a dead mallard I found out of season, and was very kind to me. I was scared to death when he took the duck, but then he pulled out the four tail feathers and handed them to me, to remember it by. I went on to study fisheries and wildlife biology at Kansas State University.

I was prompted to create the Outdoor Adventure Camp when I talked to some kids who wanted another option besides Boy Scout camp, something with more hunting. So I worked with the Kansas Wildlife Federation and our camp venue to provide that experience, with courses leaning more toward consumptive use of the outdoors, and it has been a success.”

Theresa: “We’re so grateful for the campers who return as counselors, and for our guest speakers from K. State who relay their own excitement to the kids. With really hands-on classes, the energy is infectious. The children who are shy at first see the other kids having fun, and it draws them in. Maybe they’re leery of a crawdad crawling on their hand, but they’ll touch it with their finger.”

Tommie: “When we go home on Saturday, we’re wiped out. But it’s so rewarding. Every spontaneous event can be an educational moment in the outdoors. On one hike, we came around a corner and spotted some wild turkeys running up a ridge. This little fella from inner-city Wichita comes hopping up to me and says, ‘Did you see those ostriches?’ I could not convince him that they were turkeys. After 23 years, I can tell you some stories. That’s the stuff we enjoy.”

—As told to Kristyn Brady