Inspiring the Next Generation
September 29, 2022
THE DUMPSTER DRUMMERS
In its 18th season, the Knee-high Naturalists program returned to Memorial Woods for family friendly learning and fun. The season was kicked off with a lively performance by Larry and Doug from The Dumpster Drummers! Four more eventful Friday mornings were hosted thanks to our partners from Purdue Extension, Fremont Elementary, the Pokagon Nature Center, and the Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District. Kids and their grownups learned about how and what to recycle, the language of trees and what it tells us, got very colorful “artist hands” (and feet!), met three special turtle friends for breakfast, and learned how to be prepared for a day in the wilderness, first aid kits and all!
PICNIC IN THE PARK
A fun addition to this summer’s programming was a visit to Fremont’s Rocketship Park in partnership with the Fremont Public Library. The Conservancy’s educational team, comprised of staff and volunteers, shared knowledge of watersheds with over 100 area youth.
Five Knee-high Naturalists programs and a visit to the Fremont Public Library’s “Picnic in the Park” gave us the opportunity to share about recycling, trees, art, turtles, wilderness survival, and watersheds.
Reading the newly published Conservancy book written in collaboration with last year’s Fremont Elementary 2nd Graders, Little Drop’s Watershed Journey, picnic visitors were taken on a journey of one waterdrop’s journey through the watershed from Fremont to Lake Michigan. A handful of the 2nd grade authors were there to see their work in action.
We are proud of our educational outreach each summer during the school break. Free, hands-on nature education is essential in inspiring our littlest learners to become lovers of the great outdoors. We are already looking forward to planning Knee-high Naturalists for next summer! Don’t hesitate to tell us what you want to learn about in 2023.