We love putting our Cairn Youth Program students in the spotlight so that we can share their unique and inspiring experiences with you! VOC's Cairn Youth Program guides and challenges high school students to become caretakers of Colorado's extraordinary natural resources, and we couldn't be prouder of this year's young stewards. This month, we'd like to feature Olivia Wischmeyer. 

Olivia's love for nature began when she was a small child, going on summer camping and hiking trips every summer with her family, and simply spending time outside in her backyard.

"Every sunny day was filled with growing our family garden or exploring my neighborhood on my bike. And the rainy days were made up of worm saving and splashing in the puddles," said Olivia.

As school became a heavier weight, she found it more difficult to get outside and continue immersing herself in the wonders of nature; however, after attending camp for several years in the Rocky Mountains and in Upstate New York - where she led a five-day backpacking trip through the Catskill Mountains - she rekindled her passion.

"I came home with an acute awareness of what the natural world needed. I realized more people must raise their voice for the life that has none. I came to see that despite the mindset of many Coloradans, the state was facing horrible destruction of its natural resources," said Olivia. "Through my work with Colorado Young Leaders, an outreach organization that mentors Colorado youth to grow their communities, I discovered VOC and signed up for Cairn last spring."

The more trails she restored and invasive weeds she eliminated alongside her Cairn comrades, the more empowered Olivia felt; as she describes it, "the weight of being unable to help the Earth was lifted and I felt that my shovel and my hands were making the world a little bit better." 

"Cairn is not only a great way to educate teens about the natural environment, but it gives us the tools to help maintain it," Olivia said. "I hope to continue being a part of Cairn and VOC for as long as possible and I cannot wait for all the adventures to come. I love Cairn because it gives me a place to be myself and serve the environment around me. I have also seen more of Colorado this year than in my whole life!"

Outside of VOC, Olivia enjoy skiing, painting, playing guitar, cooking, serving her community, and exploring and learning about the world around her. She is vice president of the Colorado Young Leaders-Arapahoe Chapter Youth Advisory Board and vice president of the National Art Honors Society at East High School. She also served as the head recruiter for the Camp Rising Sun Colorado Alumni Association this year. Olivia hopes to intertwine environmental science and service into her future career path.