ECOCAMP
ECOCAMP
Making A Difference
ABOUT ME
Puja Vengadasalam
My objective is to be a trailblazing eco-marketer, social innovator, and global business leader whose contribution lies at the intersection of business, society, and the environment. I am also interested in social media and fashion marketing. I graduated with Honors from the premier Rutgers Business School, New Brunswick in May 2024. I hold a Bachelors of Science degree with Honors and a GPA of 3.55. I majored in Marketing and a minor in Digital Communication, Information, and Media. I earned and used the National Equitable Excellence Foundation scholarship for my undergraduate studies and completed the Accomplished Innovator pathway as a student leadership board member and invited fellow in the IDEA or the Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy of Rutgers University.
I am passionate about the environment and want to make a difference in the world. I pioneered EcoCamp, which included workshops to teach environmental stewardship, an EcoCamp showcase to involve the township, and an EcoCamp website to create global awareness. While I earned the Student of the Year, the New Jersey Governors Award for Environmental Excellence, and the Girl Scout Gold for the project, EcoCamp. Giving back to the community is important to me, as well. I won the Jefferson Gold Medal for Service and the President’s Silver and Gold medal for community service for about 450 plus hours of volunteering. I believe these experiences have honed my leadership and transformative marketing skills which I aim to develop further in the coming years.
ABOUT ECOCAMP
EcoCamp is a weeklong set of summer workshops, it aims to turn participants into young environmental specialists or earth advocates. EcoCAMP is based on STEAM principles and uses environmental science and statistical information to teach campers about environmental problems and solutions. It features experiments and activities, arts and crafts, discussions and public speaking. In fact, EcoCamp incorporates both “Eco” and “camp” elements. “Eco” comes from “Ecology” which the dictionary defines as the “advocacy or the protection of natural resources from pollution or its effects or environmentalism.” CAMP is an acronym for Crafts, Arts, Movies and Public speaking, implying that workshop participants will have fun as they learn to advocate for the earth through various communication methods.
Day 1: Land pollution
Day 2: Water pollution
Day 3: Air pollution
Day 4: Noise and Light pollution
Day 5: Endangered Species
Day 6 Eco-Art Exhibition and Camp Showcase
The Art exhibition and Camp showcase on Day 6 is the highlight of the camp since students get to exhibit their art and crafts as well as an opportunity to speak before their parents and public.
EcoCamp aims to introduce environmental consciousness and conservation practices in the children of the county so change can begin from the bottom up.
THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Video of Speech by Mayor Matthew Anesh @ EcoCamp showcase, South Plainfield Library, June 30, 2018
MORE ABOUT ECOCAMP
WHY MIDDLESEX?
Middlesex is at 11 for air quality, while American Lung Association gives it an F. Also as per its latest report, Middlesex Water found Teflon byproducts and UCMR3 products in the water, though at less than current health concern levels. Also the country reports high plastic pollution and littering as also elevated noise and light pollution levels.
TIME BREAKUP
TWEENS: 10 am -1 pm
Focus Learning Area & Video Lessons: 15 mins
Kids can Help: 15 mins Science Experiments and Activity Time: 20 mins
Meet the Expert: 10 mins
Discussion & Speech: Practice & Develop Advocacy skills: 30mins
Earth Art & Recycle Crafts(3): 45 mins
Green Games & EcoMovie : 45mins Total: 3 hrs
KIDS: 1.30-3.30 pm
Focus Learning Area & Video Lessons, 15 mins
Kids Can help: 15 mins
Discussion & Speech: Practice & Develop Advocacy skills: 30 mins
Earth Art & Recycle Crafts(2): 30 mins
Green Games & Eco Movie: 30 mins
Total: 2 hrs
THE ECOCAMP STORY
EocCamp is the name of the June 25-30, 2018 Program held at the South Plainfield Library. This website shares information about it and what was taught and achieved through it. It celebrates the event and the hope that more EcoCamps will be held so our earth and our town get better.
