Adventure Central is a nature and science program sponsored by Daiton MetroParks. He has been a mentor to children in West Dayton for more than 20 years. As a teenager, Linnze English participated in Adventure Central, and then became a teacher there. Linnze talks here with Nate Arnett, one of the program’s founders.
Okay. Linnze, how did you start the program?
English I think in the beginning I had what I feel like most children: nature, hot outside. I just don’t like it because it just wasn’t what I was used to. You have this unknown thing. They want us to be outside for five, 4 hours and then we go back outside and then, you know, we go into this creek or we do this. It’s like, ‘No, no, no, I’m not doing that. I’ll hate it. ‘ But obviously, in the end I like it. Stayed there forever.
Yes, well, and you mentioned that you stayed. So what kept you involved?
I think we learned things we didn’t learn in school, so it was like a practical thing. We could play in the creek. We would go to visit different Metro parks, you know, experience with science and nature. And like I said, it wasn’t in some super strict way in super school. But at that time I went to a Catholic school and then to a small private school. So I was almost one or two of one or two black kids in my class.
So for me, going to Adventure Central after school and going to summer day camp outside, like seeing my family, was really the only time I could hang out with other black kids, like other kids who looked like me, who were my age. So that was something I needed then. That was something that really mattered. And I mean, I don’t think this would sound bad, but I think I appreciate that so many white staff didn’t try to like it to become urban, because I don’t like it when they teach urban kids. Everyone was very honest, you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not, you know, to play hip hop music to connect with people, you have to be your own. So I think I really appreciated that Adventure Central didn’t try to be some kind of savior, some saving space for black kids. So that’s something I’ve always appreciated.
OK. So what is your favorite memory or aspect of the program?
Probably an overnight camp, because it’s super fun. You know, go and go to sleep for two or three days and light a fire and, you know, all those fun things you want to do as a kid.
You were one of the individuals who really encouraged him to become a more youth-led experience. It was one of the first programs where our older youth said: “Get out of the way and let us do this. We have some ideas and we want some things to happen here. ” And it was a great opportunity.
It’s funny when I talk to a friend, I have a friend to whom I always say something. I’m like, Oh yeah, when I worked at the arboretum, when I was on the board, she’s like, Do you have all this? Why do you have so many jobs? What were you doing? I actually worked - I had so many opportunities. I worked in an arboretum, I worked like on a farm. I was 17 or 16 as a youth member on the board. And that’s because you gave me all these opportunities, you know, my co-workers were 30 years old and we’re doing the same lesson plan and doing the same things - they’re driving a van. Me too. They are in charge of the children. Me too. What was your aha moment? That moment when you knew that, you know, this is what I was supposed to do.
Yeah the moment was when I looked around and all our employees were either former participants, they started with us as parents or they were volunteers. And so each of the paid staff who was there grew up in the program, and so we really became wise about our own future.
I wish maybe I could write a six-digit check in Adventure Central. Thank you. If I’ve never said that before. Thank you very much.
Yes. Thank you.
Our series - called Lighting the Fire - was produced by David Seitz. These interviews were recorded on Zoom during the pandemic as a collaboration between Learn to Earn Daiton, Strive Together, a non-profit organization from Cincinnati and the Story Corps.