Dayton Daily News

IN TRAINING FOR STEWARDSHIP OF PLANET

Eco-Challenge will test mettle

'Survivor'-like competitors to win trip to Costa Rica

LEBANON | Testing strength of muscle, mind and character is the essence of the region's first High School Survivor Eco-Challenge, event founder Gary Morgan said.

The idea behind the May 15 competition is to get kids thinking about stewardship of the planet, "finding inner strength and having fun doing it," he said.

Morgan, who with his family runs Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Centers at Fort Ancient in Warren County, said the two-hour eco-challenge will be at Ceasar Creek State Park in the northeast corner of the county.

The winning team receives a five-day stay at Morgan's Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula to learn more about the fragile ecosystem. The school must furnish the team's airfare and a paying adult or parent must accompany them.

"We hope that this will help create interest in the event as well as bring attention to the rain forests of Costa Rica and the world to help save them," Morgan said. "It's an exercise for them to understand the bigger picture of the world they live in and to help change things to make it even better."

Up to 30 schools are expected to participate, Morgan said. Teams will consist of seven members — three female, three male and one teacher/parent who serves not as the team leader but as an adviser.

The competition involves a 4-mile raft race, 2-mile run, eight-station obstacle course and mystery tasks. To qualify, teams must complete a 250-word research paper about a local or national water or ecological issue and 10 hours of community service.

There is a $50 per participant charge, which may be paid in pledges or by a team sponsor. Event proceeds will go to Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops from low-income areas in Dayton and Cincinnati.

Lauren Dame, Walnut Hills High School senior and team member, said she likes that the event is both physically and mentally challenging.

"It's definitely important to teach younger people to appreciate the environment because it's only going to get worse and anything we can do now will make it better — especially to teach our children to prevent pollution and destruction," she said.

Tim King, Outdoor Club adviser at Mason High School, said the competitive aspect will attract students to the event.

"But then they have to do community service and research and that's what's really important," he said.

Margaret Drexel, communications director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau, said the Morgans routinely provide quality, family-oriented programs.

"The eco-challenge is wonderful because it supports children and our schools, and because one of the schools is conducting a cleanup of the Little Miami and Ohio River for its community service." she said.

In addition to the Costa Rica trip, the winning team will be featured in a half-hour video to be aired on local television. The winning school automatically will be entered into next year's event and be keeper of the Survivor's Cup. An awards presentation and celebration with music, food and prizes will follow the event.

The deadline to register is April 30.

All equipment, including professional quality white water rafts, insurance, official T-shirts and safety personnel will be provided, according to event organizers.

Contact Kristin McAllister at (513) 696-4545.

INFORMATION

• Online: littlemiamitriathlon.com. First click on Freedom Challenge, then on High School Survivor Eco-Challenge

• Call: (513) 321-3123.

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