"I have a love-hate relationship with the Asian Tiger mosquito," Steve Cunningham declares, hands open as if he is holding an imaginary book. He has just killed a mosquito, the imprint leaving a mirror image on his palms.
The youth of Team Wilderness sit in a circle around him, crowded together on logs. They listen as he speaks further.
"You know, they don't just bite you once and have their fill. They bite you in succession, one-two-three. They're also terrible fliers, which is why they're easy to catch. They can't stray far from where they are born. Fascinating." He wipes off the insect on his pants.
One teenager scratches at a fresh bite, nodding. The kids are tired and a little bit filthy having spent the whole day hiking and learning to rock climb.
Noah, one of the junior leaders, pulls out the ukulele he had strapped to his younger sister Bella's pack. He strums a few chords.
As he starts to sing, the sun sets.
Team Wilderness is a Jersey City based non-profit that teaches high school-aged youth teamwork, leadership and character by introducing them to the outdoors.
Bella sleeps on the way to the Mohican Outdoor Center in the Delaware Water Gap.
