Hello there! My name is Colin, and I am currently a rising sophomore. I have a brother and sister who are both younger than me. They both drive me equally as crazy, but as my mother always likes to say, ‘You don’t have to like your siblings, but you do have to love them’.
When my family isn’t driving each other crazy (which is not often), we all like to go on nearby hikes and explore the world around us. One of the main reasons that I decided to join In My Backyard was the hope that I would not only introduce those around me to National Parks, but to the whole world around them. Most people don’t even realize that there are trails and views all around them, and that they don’t need to go all the way to a national park to experience nature. I believe that nature is one of the best and easiest ways for someone to relax and unwind while taking in the history that their surroundings have to offer.
If I have to be completely honest, I have no idea what I am going to do in the future. I like creating computer programs and scripts, working in the environment, and writing, which are all very different things. However, I think it is okay that I have no idea what the future holds. One of the great things about being in high school is that I can discover the kind of person I want to be, as well as the people that I want to work with. Maybe I will work in the National Parks service, or maybe I will go into a completely different career, but that unpredictability is a part of life. Regardless of what the future holds, I am super excited to be working with the In My Backyard team. All of the mentors are super enthusiastic (maybe a little too enthusiastic) about what they do, and I know that being a part of In My Backyard will give me valuable experience professionally and help me with my teamwork skills as well. Despite the physical distance between me and the other IMBYs, I am sure that I will be able to make valuable connections that will last into the future.
In My Backyard 