My name is Phoebe Brinker, and I am a rising junior on the women's golf team. I recently participated in the ACE student-athlete civic engagement program, along with several other Duke student-athletes, from June 15 to July 6.
Together we explored Colorado's scenic mountains, immersed ourselves in service projects like trail building and regenerative farming, and learned from Colorado-based partner organizations about the environmental challenges facing our planet along with feasible solutions. The trip allowed all of us Duke student-athletes some time away from our usual routine of sports, home, schoolwork, and family, pulling us out of our comfort zones to "promote global conservation and environmental stewardship efforts" with partner organizations at roughly 8,000 feet above sea level.