This week at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center was a bit slower than usual as we did not have many events going on.

Monday and Tuesday, I helped out with the kids camp for 2nd-4th graders. One of the highlights was introducing them to our turtle, Ziggy. They were thrilled to pet him and learn about his habitat. Each day, we engaged the kids with different crafts, with the standout being cyanotype prints. This fascinating process involves collecting flowers and leaves, arranging them on light-sensitive cloth, and exposing them to sunlight to create beautiful prints. I think I was more interested in this than any of the kids were.

Additionally, the center welcomed a new art exhibit called “Birds, Butterflies, and Botanicals.” This exhibit features art quilts and needle felting, which creates a unique 3D effect. Whenever there’s a new exhibit, we host a reception that is open to the public. I helped set up for the event, which included a trip to Kroger for drinks and preparing charcuterie boards, chips, cookies, and beverages. Although I didn’t stay for the reception, I heard it was a huge success, with six pieces of art sold! This exhibit was supported by a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. I made a social media post and wrote letters thanking them for their generous support, which allows us to bring such vibrant art to our center.

Wednesday was another highlight of the week, with a meeting at the Columbus Foundation. We met Elizabeth Martinez, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Nick Jones, VP of Community Wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It was inspiring to talk to such down-to-earth leaders. One key takeaway from the conversation was the difference between intent and impact, and how our generation feels immense pressure to “save the world.” They emphasized that we are young and don’t need to shoulder all the pressure at once. Instead, we should find pockets where we can make a difference because every small effort leads to change. It’s about community and starting conversations that can lead to bigger transformations.

Today, marked the last day of camp and because this group was older, we host a celebration lunch with their families. I was in charge of ordering the pizza and setting up for the event. It was a great turnout, with everyone enjoying the food and admiring the crafts the kids made throughout the week.