When I first got to New Hampshire in May, the trees were green and lush with miles of green as far as the eye could see. The air was warm and humid with the sounds of insects chirping through the night. Now, the days are becoming shorter; the air is cooler, and the sound of insects decreases by the day. The trees are slowly beginning to erupt in a fiery explosion that will abruptly end as they fall to the ground while winter takes its hold on the landscape. At this point I have been in the AmeriCorps program at the Squam Lakes Association for several months and it feels good to be at a point where I can now reflect back on the service I have done and on the program at the SLA. Much like I have seen the changes in the seasons; I can see the changes in myself that I have seen over the course of my term at the SLA.
Upon applying for the LRCC position at the SLA, I didn’t even know AmeriCorps existed. Admittedly, I hadn’t done much research into what AmeriCorps was upon my acceptance of the position either. But I could not be happier that I found this position and stuck with it through to what is now near the end. It has given me the opportunity to grow both on a personal and professional level. The staff here at the SLA has been nothing but helpful in guiding us LRCC members through the process and have been very influential in pushing us to grow. I feel that everyone genuinely cares about each member and wants to see them grow and find a path that suits them.
The SLA and LRCC program has given me the freedom to take on responsibility and make my own decisions on how something should be done. This has allowed me to learn from mistakes and learn how to step up and fulfill a leadership position; a task that I had not often been given the chance to perform in the past. On the other end of the spectrum, the program has helped exercise the ability to be a team player and how to navigate the ins and outs of a project that requires many people and moving parts. I have learned to speak up when I feel that my idea may be beneficial to the team. I have also learned how to better receive criticism and grow from it, as well as learning how to discuss differences with others without letting those differences come between us or the work and mission at hand.
Ultimately, my experience thus far with the AmeriCorps LRCC program at the SLA has been a pleasure, full of fun, learning, and growth. I am very thankful for the many conversations, experiences, obstacles, and accomplishments that I have been a part of here during the program. From interacting with the public on a daily basis, to cleaning composting toilets, I have learned a lot and could not have asked for a better experience to start my life after college. I am excited for the future and the SLA has helped me feel better prepared for what’s to come.
Evan has recently started working on the Squam Lakes Association Milfoil Report for the 2021 dive season. Our crew has been hard at work all summer removing invasive variable milfoil from the lake, keep an eye out for the report detailing their success. Learn more about Evan here!