Together with the Junior Rangers, Kiki Kempenaers (15) often goes out in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. The Junior Rangers is a group of young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who meet every month to learn about nature with a total of twenty members. Every month the rangers do an activity. These activities are always different and take place in various locations in the Grenspark. Every year there is also a weekend camp and a summer camp.
Kiki: “I joined the Junior Rangers through my family. My parents are real outdoors people and regularly go for walks in nature. I have always lived close to the forests of the Grenspark and as a child I loved to romp and play in the woods. Because I have been spending a lot of time on my phone recently, I signed up for the Junior Rangers. This way I get outside and have live contact with peers!”
Playing Around
Kiki finds the best thing about the Junior Rangers is that she goes to places she would otherwise never visit: “I have discovered many beautiful places. Some time ago we came to a place where we saw many beautiful blue dragonflies. Sometimes a guide comes to tell us something about nature. In this way, I have learned about many new birds and am still amazed at how many species there are to discover. We have two great leaders, Daan and Linsy. Everyone calls Daan ‘papa Daan’ because he always takes care of everyone. We also always play the game ‘Dikke Bertha’ with him. I like that we learn about nature, but also that there is space to play and romp around. Clothes can get dirty in nature, that’s just part of it!
The nature in the Border Park has a calming effect on me. It can really make me happy. Especially since I have a very sensitive hearing. When I come to walk here, I immediately feel that peace come over me and I can concentrate on environmental sounds, like the sound of a bird.”
Kindergarten teacher
Kiki regrets that not many children know about the Junior Rangers: “It would be nice to raise more awareness about what we do and inform more people about it. I would like to become a kindergarten teacher. Later, I would teach children that it is healthy to play and get their clothes dirty. For nature, I dream of a world with less plastic and pollution so that nature can just take its course.”
What you love, you want to take care of
“The diversity and robustness of nature in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide must be preserved for future generations,” says Linsy. “It would be nice to see the love for the Grenspark and nature widely shared by visitors and local residents. What you love, you want to take care of. I hope that the Junior Rangers will also convey this love for nature later as ambassadors.”