por Luisa Vargas
Semillitas Outdoors is Latino Outdoors’ annual celebration of Latine children in the outdoors. From April 20 to April 28, we’ll be hosting virtual and in-person events that center the experience of Latine children and their families.
This week is important to LO for many reasons. We understand that kids are the foundation of a vibrant future. Fostering a love for the outdoors early in life provides life-long benefits to individuals and the community. It’s also a way of honoring our raíces and our culturas which have always emphasized the importance of maintaining a connection between generations.
Last year at a LO campout I met Maddie, a middle schooler and fellow Texan who enjoys being out in nature and has been uniquely touched by the magic of the LO comunidad from a very young age. Her grandma, Josie Gutierrez, happens to be LO’s Texas Regional Coordinator and has been fostering Maddie’s love for the outdoors since she was only four years old.
This is the transcript of segments of a conversation held on April 3, 2024, between Luisa Vargas and Maddie. Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity and accuracy.
Interview Transcript:
What is your favorite thing about being outdoors?
My favorite thing about being outdoors is seeing different plants and getting to learn more about them and different animals. I like all plants, and sometimes my favorite varies depending on how I feel. It’s kind of like whenever somebody asks me what my favorite song is.
Do you have a favorite plant of the day?
I feel like bluebonnets are my favorite plant today. They have been blooming everywhere.
What is your favorite memory of being outdoors?
My favorite memory of being outdoors is probably my first campout with Latino Outdoors when I was four years old at Garner State Park. My grandma took me, my grandpa, my aunt, and my mom, and we went swimming in the Frio River and hiked a little bit.
Have you gotten to go back since?
Yes, many, many times. Not this year so far, but hopefully I will be able to.
What’s your favorite place to camp in Texas?
There are so many. It’s very hard to choose. I’m very indecisive about that.
Can you tell us about when you started going to LO events and the person who started taking you?
I started going to LO events when I was around five and my grandma started taking me. At LO events, we would table and we would help show kids about being in the outdoors and what’s fun about it.
What is your favorite Semillitas Outdoors memory?
Probably tabling with my grandma. We get to help kids make little rocks, and they get to put their favorite thing about nature on them. I usually draw butterflies and ladybugs and flowers.
What advice would you give a person your age about going hiking or camping?
I would probably say to bring comfy shoes and shoes that you don’t mind, to get a little bit messy and to not be nervous about it because it’s really fun.
What is something that you’ve gotten better at or have overcome since you started going outdoors?
Pack less when I go camping!
What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
Right now, I’m indecisive about what I want to do, but I just know that I want to go to college in New York at NYU and just travel. I’m a city girl who still enjoys being outside.
