HomeTeen from Red Deer Wins National Ducks Unlimited Contest 
Summer Adventure of a Lifetime!
Oak Hammock Marsh MB, Aug. 2 – Scott Schroderus' lawn mowing clients in Red Deer, Alberta, might have to forego their weekly trim this August. Schroderus is the provincial winner of Ducks Unlimited Canada's Great Greenwing Adventure. The 15-year-old youth will be spending a week in Manitoba camping beside a restored wetland on an all expenses paid, weeklong adventure August 11 to 17.
The annual Great Greenwing Adventure 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.
"It will be a neat experience," Schroderus said. His father directed him to the contest after reading about it in the paper. Schroderus qualified for the trip by correctly identifying the types of ducks in a photo posted at Ducks Unlimited's Web site. He is one of 10 winners, each representing a different province, who will spend the week at Oak Hammock Marsh. It will be Schroderus' first trip to Manitoba.
"I've been in the outdoors and I'd like to learn a bit more. I like doing that kind of stuff," Schroderus said. He enjoys archery and accompanies his father to hunt upland game birds. "I thought it would be a neat opportunity to travel to Manitoba and see all the different things."
Once they arrive in Winnipeg, Great Greenwing Adventure winners will travel 20 minutes north of the city to Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, recognized as the country's best outdoor site by Attractions Canada. The marsh will serve as home base for the adventurers while they travel to activities that include duck and songbird banding, monster catfish fishing, canoeing, archery, wilderness survival, radio telemetry and orienteering.
Schroderus is really looking forward to the airboat rides. In addition to mowing lawns, the Hunting Hill High School student is spending his summer mountain biking and wakeboarding. According to Alvin Dyck, coordinator of the Great Greenwing Adventure, Schroderus 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 1,900 Alberta youths are enrolled in the program.
