HomeTeen from Rothesay Wins National Ducks Unlimited Contest 
Summer Adventure of a Lifetime!
Oak Hammock Marsh MB, Aug. 2 – Autumn Medford's summer camps will take her from cadets to conservation this year. The 14-year-old from Rothesay, New Brunswick, is this year's provincial winner of Ducks Unlimited's Great Greenwing Adventure. Only 12 days after returning from three weeks at cadet camp in Acadia, she will travel to Manitoba to join nine teenagers from across Canada for an all expenses paid week camping by a restored wetland learning about wetland and wildlife conservation.
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.
To win the contest, Medford had to correctly identify the duck species in a photo posted at Ducks Unlimited's Web site. She was directed to the contest by her commanding officer in cadets, Frank Simpson.
"I thought it was it cool," Medford replied when asked why she entered the contest. "I always go away on summer trips." This will be her first trip to Manitoba.
Once she arrives in Winnipeg, Medford 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.
"I want to tag the birds because I like animals," Medford said. Soon to enter Hampton High, Medford's favorite classes are math and art.
According to Alvin Dyck, coordinator of the Great Greenwing Adventure, Medford is about to embark on an experience that she'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. Over 9,000 youths in Atlantic Canada are enrolled in the program.
