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A Lifetime of Learning: Nature to Nonprofit

April 6, 2023
Brian Hall with blue shirt and green lanyard on.

Brian Hall is currently a Sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Environmental Studies, minoring in Organizational Leadership.

Brian’s parents started taking him to the Nature Center as soon as he could walk. They spent memorable times hiking, exploring the creeks, and digging in the dirt.

Brian’s fondest memories, though, are from his time spent at summer camp.

“I remember playing Eagle Eye throughout the week,” he says. “I wore green and tan clothing so I could hide better after playing the game for the first time, and continuously found better hiding spots.”

His feelings run especially deep for his summer camp days on the Fernwood Trail.

“My brother loved Long Branch camps, so my parents signed me and my siblings up for those for several years. When my brother was too old to be a camper, my parents asked me if I wanted to try a camp at Rowe Woods. I chose Eco Village at the Fernwood Shelter. I never went to another location again. I’ve been hiking Fernwood Trail every summer since. It’s got a lot of memories attached to it.”

You could say that Brian experienced a full metamorphosis at camp. He’s been through all the different stages!

“I started as a camper when I was 5, then became an LIT [Leader in Training] when I was 13, and for the past two years, I’ve been a camp counselor.”

At UC, Brian is pursuing a career in the nonprofit world, with a steadfast focus on securing a job at an environmental organization.

“My time at the Nature Center has had the biggest impact on my career choice,” he says. “My experiences and interactions there are the reason I have chosen this path."

Brian emphasizes that his camp experience provided him valuable mentorship. Nature Center staff like Bill Creasey, Eve Smallwood, Sheila Cox-Riley, and Bekah Cohen inspired him to want to be a mentor for others. Fellow LITs and counselors who shared the same connection and interest in nature fueled his passion even more—and helped him grow personally.

“I’ve been able to build my confidence with the help of the people around me,” Brian says. “Staff, volunteers, and other campers have all encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. Because that’s where the best learning happens.

“I’m able to safely push myself to do uncomfortable things, as well as teach others to take a step out of their comfort zone.”