Environmental Education Camp 2018

Importance: McCreary County seventh grade Science teachers identified the need for environmental education of youth. 

Educational Program: The program presented was a three day, two night program held at the Feltner 4-H Camp. There were a total of ten day time programs and 3 night programs that each child participated in. Youth also visited a Landfill and a Recycling Center.

Role of Extension:     The Extension Agent recruited leaders, instructors, assisted in planning the program, and secured funding. This program was a collaborative effort with McCreary Middle Science Department, McCreary Middle Youth Service Center, McCreary County Soil Conservation District, and East Ky P.R.I.D.E. The Extension Agent wrote and received grants totaling $4,950.00 to assist with expenses of the program.

Other Agencies involved were, Ky. Department of Fish & Wildlife, McCreary County Water District, McCreary Central FFA Forestry Students, Laurel County Soil Conservation District, Liberty Nature Center, Garrard County 4-H, Bell County ARN and UK College of Ag, Food & Environment.

Some of the programs presented were: Water, Insects, Water Creatures, Wood Magic, Soils, Black Bears, Animal Habitat, Water Quality/Testing, Rapture Rehabilitation Program and Forestry.

Impact:

• 76 youth and 9 adult leaders attended the program.
• 100% reported that Environmental Education Camp had increased their knowledge and awareness of their environment
• 96% of participants rated the camp as “a lot” of fun
• The following questions were asked:

 On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being none and 5 being a lot how much did you learn from the  Camp?

                       Circle your answer: 1 0%       2 0%     3 8%    4 38%  5 54%             A 4.97 average

• Please rate your knowledge on the topics taught prior to attending camp and your knowledge after attending camp on a scale of 1 –3, with 1 being very little and 3 being a lot.

                        Prior to attending 1 34% 2 58% 3 8%       After attending 1 1% 2 17% 3 82%           A 52% increase in knowledge

  Other Comments on what they learned while attending

• How to sample water                                      
• Dragonflies are born in water 
• How different birds are rehabilitated and released
• About nature and it’s influences on it’s surroundings 
• About nature and animals and how they adapt to things
• The different types of soil, commonly used ways to catch a fish & how insects effect the environment
• Trees, fish, insects, bees bears, soil and water cycle recycling went to the landfill and birds
• Soil, identifying different insects, water and acids, bees, bears, birds, wild animals, trees identifying trees and recycling
• Learned about how we need to protect & conserve our environment because it’s the only one we have. 
• Learned to protect our natural resources.

Evaluation Method: Participants were given a written survey at the end of the program.