Back to my Roots: How I Reconnected with the Treehuggers

Returning to where it all began was both nostalgic and inspiring. Last spring, I had the opportunity to revisit the Treehuggers Club at my former elementary school—a place where I first developed a passion for environmentalism.

On my first visit, I presented the game to the students, and over the next few weeks, each student picked their own cards to work on. At my next visit just a few weeks later, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the club had packed over 100 waste-free lunches, and the feedback I received was even more encouraging. Some of their favorite cards included "Shop Smart," "Help the Birds," and "Wild Card." In addition to choosing their activities and racking up points, many of them talked about bonding with friends and family over the game. The group consensus was that the game helped them make a positive impact, and they would continue doing the actions they learned. Most rated the game a 9 or 10 "because it's fun and helpful."

I look forward to continuing to work with the club this year and seeing the progress they make!