Pictured: Last year's Trailblazer's Club. Numbers this year have skyrocketed. Photo Credit: Watauga Yearbook
The Trailblazers Club is all about enjoying what the great outdoors has to offer and is the rebirth of the Naturalist Club from last year. Trailblazer Outdoor Clubs have been started in 34 high schools all across North Carolina, and due to Watauga teachers and club co-advisors Eric Breitenstein and Katie Gray, Watauga High School was awarded a club-changing grant to re-invigorate the Naturalist club, now known as the Trailblazers Club, to be all about exploration and passion for nature.
“A couple students came to me and said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to just have a club and go outside and look at things and discover things?’” Gray said, and many students at Watauga agree.
“...Last year, the naturalist club had 8 members, and there were 25 people at the first meeting [of 2023], which is really exciting.” Gray said.
The Naturalist Club was started last year by Mrs. Gray and then rebranded this year.
“It's basically the same, but it’s because we got this really amazing grant from the NC heritage outdoor council,” Gray said.
Watauga High School became one of the inaugural Trailblazers Clubs in North Carolina, funded by a grant. The grant is instrumental for creating new clubs all across North Carolina and has provided 5.7 million dollars to over 800 schools.
“We have money that we can [use to] buy binoculars and waders, and we have kick-nets ordered. We're going to have all the equipment that we need to do real research and really look at what we can see in our environment,” Gray said. “We want to be able to make sure everyone can come in and participate that wants to. We have to limit numbers, but that's about all we are looking at. And we're lucky that we have this grant where we can offer it all for free and have all this equipment.”
Students are excited about the new possibilities.
“Trailblazers is the best club in the school because the advisors listen to the students and are able to take advice and ideas from each and every student in the club,” said Starr Van Buren, a junior student in the club. “I really appreciate Ms. Gray and Mr. Breitenstein for starting this club and keeping inclusivity on their radar always!”
Senior Jacob Hollis was part of the Naturalist Club last year, and came back this year as club president. He is graduating in the spring, but thinks the club can grow even more in the future.
“My hopes for this club are very high. I hope we grow and gain more and more support and members from those who love science and the outdoors,” Hollis said. “There are so many possibilities and I am very excited to be a part of the Trailblazers club and help build it into something amazing.”
The club’s first few expeditions will be as local and inclusive as possible.
“Each excursion that we are going to go on—and we’re starting small, because we both [coach] a fall sport—is going to have an exploration opportunity, like where we are just flipping rocks and looking for things,” said Gray.
The club will also engage in local volunteer opportunities. Additionally, they have a big trip planned.
“We're talking to people at Hammock Beach State Park! That is going to be our big trip this year, going out over spring break for a few nights and working with their Trailblazers Club down there,” said Gray.
Ms. Gray looks forward to the time when the club can enjoy even more frequent “far-away” excursions. For now, she looks forward to overnight camping trips with professionals in the field. Students would learn about “basic camping techniques that would get kids outside and excited about nature!” said Gray.
Gray told students, “If you're at all interested in learning about nature, if you like being outside, we’re going to go on hikes, we’re going to have professionals who are from this area talking to you all. It’s not just going to be me, it’s not just going to be an app on your phone. It's going to be people who know inside out what is going on in our awesome environment.”
The club includes everyone, all interviewees emphasized. Regardless of interests and abilities, the club is something anyone can be a part of.
“If you're at all interested in going into a science field, that’s awesome! You can get that part,” Gray said. However, the club is also perfect for those who simply enjoy time outside. There are high hopes for the future and plenty of plans to enjoy the outdoors this year.
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