|
|
150 campers attend the Inaugural Annual Conservation Day Camp at
Chenoweth Trails on June 12 & 13.
|
|
Inaugural Annual Darke County Conservation Day Camp
On June 12th and 13th, 150 Darke County students attended the 1st
Annual Darke County Conservation Day Camp at Chenoweth Trails hosted by
the Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The camp was
designed to get kids outdoors and provide a hands-on approach to
learning about their environment.
“Our goal was to get kids to unplug for a couple days and experience
the environment we live in,” said Jared Coppess, District Administrator
for Darke SWCD. “And try to sneak in a couple lessons while they
are having fun.” Thanks to generous donations from the Darke County
Foundation, Light Foundation and the Darke County Chapter of Pheasants
Forever, each camper received a nature journal with reference material
to take what they learned at camp and apply it at home.
Camp attendees experienced archery, fishing, crafts, bird feeder
building, watersheds, pollinators, soils, trees and survival skills.
The kids left camp with a greater respect for the outdoors and a new
perspective about how their actions affect the world around them. A
grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR),
ODNR-Division of Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration
Fund provided each camper with a brand new fishing rod and reel to take
home.
“Watching these kids fish and shoot a bow and arrow for the first time
was worth all the time spent organizing this event,” said Elizabeth
Farver, Nutrient Management Technician at Darke SWCD. “Once you
see them smiling and excitedly moving from station to station, you
realize it was worth all the effort,” Farver added.
Darke SWCD would like to thank the following sponsors for making this
event possible: The Darke County Foundation, Light Foundation,
Greenville Ace Hardware, Ansonia Lumber Company, Greenville Lowe’s,
Darke County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Aultman Farm and Livestock,
Farm Credit-Mid America, Darke County Solid Waste District, Dollar
General, Greenville National Bank, Harrod and Harrod Farms LLC, Helen’s
Flowers and Gifts, Kevin Jones, Kuntz Ag Products and Services LLC,
Leis Realty Company, Nationwide Insurance-Jordan Agency, Ohio Soybean
Farmers, Greenville Rural King, Second National Bank, Suncrest Ag LLC
and Greenville Walmart.
“We want to thank the 40 instructors and counselors who volunteered at
camp, as well as Franklin Monroe FFA for their time and labor in
precutting the lumber for our bird feeders. Without our sponsors
and volunteers, this event wouldn’t have been possible,” said
Coppess.
“We are fortunate to have the support from our community and a facility
like Chenoweth Trails available to us here in Darke County,” added
Farver. “This has been a great two day event, we are excited for
what next year will bring.”
To view pictures of the event, please visit www.darkeswcd.com.
|
|
|
|
