By: Chloe Chen, Former NJSOC Education Intern
This summer 2026, I will be leaving the NJSOC as an intern but coming out as an individual who hopes to utilize environmental conservation and awareness is everyday life. For the past 2 months, I’ve spent time not only painting but also learning about all the other aspects that make this place so beloved.
Opportunities granted to high school students such as myself are difficult to come by and I cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for being given a chance to explore not only my creative passions but also my scientific ones. This July, I began my capstone project that involved painting the Flat Brook River within the campus and highlighting native NJ species. In illustrating local ecology, my mural demonstrates native plants and endangered animals to teach people about their local ecosystems. Beyond this, it inspires action. Hard science may provide the facts of an environmental issue but art creates an emotional connection that motivates people to protect nature. As someone who finds themselves in both communities (hard science and creative arts), I understand that everyone learns in different ways. For some, art acts as a method of communication that breaks difficult concepts into digestible pieces. While the focus of this mural is to be used as a teaching tool and for education purposes, I find that it also serves as a way for environmental awareness to reach broader audiences.
The NJSOC is a place of firsts. I didn’t realize what others meant by the magic the NJSOC withheld until I experienced it myself. My first campfire, fish, canoeing and other shenanigans were among the first things I was introduced to when I first joined. From working with diverse camps such as Camp Sojourner and Music Camp with children ranging from the ages of 9-17 and transitioning to working with teachers and Master Educators with years of experience under their belts, I truly did not know what they had in store for me. These experiences have forever impacted the way I approach life’s challenges and altered my perspectives in the best way possible. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me whether that be in environmental science, water ecology, or even the creative arts. While this will have definitely been the craziest side quest I’ve partaken in and will miss dearly, I have no doubt that the skills I’ve acquired here will lead me to the next milestone in my life. In the wise words of Jessie and probably Tanya, “It feels like a party everyday”.
