HomeTeen from Laird Wins National Ducks Unlimited Contest 
Summer Adventure of a Lifetime!
Saskatoon SK, Aug. 2 – Brett Galambos, 14, of Laird, Saskatchewan,has a pretty busy summer looking after 30 sheep, 40 chickens and rheas and peacocks on the family farm. But the summer is about to get even more interesting for Galambos who is the provincial winner of Ducks Unlimited's Great Greenwing Adventure. He has won an all expenses paid, weeklong outdoor adventure in Manitoba camping beside a restored wetland with nine other teenage representatives from Canada's provinces.
The annual Great Greenwing Adventure, August 11 to 17, is a component of Ducks Unlimited Canada's Greenwing youth education program. The event first started in 1995 to reward keen, young naturalists with hands-on learning experiences that solidify commitments to wetland conservation.
Galambos qualified for the trip by correctly identifying all of the waterfowl species in a photo posted at Ducks Unlimited's Web site. He saw the contest advertised in the local paper.
"My parents have been working with Ducks Unlimited for a number of years and my mom said try it out," Galambos said. "When I found out I won, I thought this is probably a good experience for me. How may times does a person get to do this?"
Once he arrives at the Winnipeg airport, Galambos will travel to Oak Hammock Marsh 20 minutes north of the city. The marsh and associated interpretive centre, which will serve as home base for the adventurers, were recently recognized as the country's best outdoor site by Attractions Canada. The contest winners will travel to activities that include duck and songbird banding, monster catfish fishing, canoeing, archery, wilderness survival, radio telemetry and orienteering.
Galambos is really looking forward to catching a catfish. "Those things look hard to reel up! It would be cool to try and catch one," he said. He also hopes to hone his archery skills. He and his dad are avid hunters.
According to Alvin Dyck, coordinator of the Great Greenwing Adventure, Galambos is about to embark on an experience that he'll remember years from now.
"Many of our past winners said they had the best time of their lives at our camp," Dyck said. "For some, it has sparked an interest in pursuing a career in biology and conservation. Participants learn about wetlands first hand, experiencing wetlands as biologists, researchers and outdoorspeople would. We hope that in addition to having a lot of fun, they take away a greater appreciation for the values that wetlands offer wildlife and people."
Ducks Unlimited's Greenwing youth education program has been running for over 20 years. Approximately 1,200 Saskatchewan youths are enrolled in the program.
