Hawaii Girls Court youth take immersion trip to Haleakala
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The Maui News
Four youth with the Hawaii Girls Court spent three days and two nights in Haleakala National Park, exploring trails and learning about nature, astronomy and Hawaiian culture as part of an immersive outdoor experience.
The Oahu-based Girls Court group of four teens ages 14 to 15 and three staff members spent time hiking and exploring the park with biologists, law enforcement officers, cultural resource experts, trail crew members and park rangers from Oct. 5-7, according to a Haleakala National Park news release Wednesday. Park staff shared their knowledge and their own personal experiences in overcoming challenges to succeed in their careers.
The participants learned about wilderness, astronomy, native forest birds and Hawaiian culture.
"I genuinely had fun," one participant said. "What I enjoyed most was looking at Saturn's rings. I've seen the night sky before but not from this high."
Another participant said that she "got to learn a lot of new things and got to see animals I've never seen, like nene, 'i'iwi and 'apapane."
Hawaii Girls Court, established in 2004 by Oahu Family Court Judge Karen Radius, is a laboratory court with gender-specific programs for at-risk girls in the juvenile justice system, according to the news release. One of the first in the nation, the court focuses on empowering girls to keep them from reoffending.
"Spending time in this environment and learning these life skills is an invaluable experience for our youth, many of whom have never been able to experience nature or mentoring in quite this way," Oahu First Circuit Family Court Judge Dyan Medeiros said of the Haleakala immersion program.
The immersion trip was funded and supported by the park's philanthropic partner, Haleakala Conservancy.
For more information on education, internship and volunteering opportunities at the park, visit nps.gov/hale/getinvolved/index.htm.