Eco Kids’ Kollege
In this age of video games, iPods and cell phones, children are no longer in touch with our natural environment. Old Dominion RC&D Council, along with several partners, emphasizes environmental educational programs, especially for children. Children are eager to learn and take to heart what they learn, often influencing their parents and grandparents with what they have learned about using our natural resources wisely and protecting our environment.
Eco Kids’ Kollege is new
environmental education program that the
Council,
along with several partners, developed and
conducted in July 2009. The 18 children who
attended, ages 9 through 12, came from three
counties to learn about our natural resources,
recycling, watersheds, wildlife and the habitat
that they need, aquatics, agriculture, and
forestry. They learned through the games they
played, the crafts they made and from hands-on
presentations by special guests. There was a
tag team race where teams competed to pick up a
field full of “litter” and place it in either
recycling containers or trash cans, depending on
whether or not the litter was recyclable. The
children learned about the water cycle by making
miniature ecosystems in jars. Presenters brought
live reptiles and amphibians to show and
discuss. The local game and fisheries officer
brought animal pelts and explained the
importance of wildlife habitat. Foresters
brought logging equipment and discussed Best
Management Practices for wise use of our timber
resources, the importance of sustainable
agriculture and how vital agricultural products
are to us. Mother Earth even made an appearance
to discuss the impact each child can make on our
environment, stressing the need to keep the
earth clean and reduce trash in landfills by
recycling. Each day’s activities ended with time
for the children to write in their journals
about what they learned. On the last day,
parents were invited to a cookout where they
learned about the week’s activities and saw the
crafts that the children made.
Each partner played a vital role in making this educational program a success. Charlotte County Administration came up with the idea and the location for the program; Southside Soil and Water Conservation District provided the materials for many of the crafts and games; Virginia Cooperative Extension taught several of the group sessions; Old Dominion RC&D Council handled the registration and finances; carried the event and liability insurance, and assisted with instructing sessions. Through efforts of all of the partners, we were able to get the word out for children to enroll. In 2009, ECO Kollege was small in scale and used as a pilot project. Next year the council, and its partners intend improve upon it and expand it to a region-wide program.
Form more information contact Old Dominion RC&D at 434-542-5489 in South Boston Virginia for more information.