Environmental Education Camp 2019

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 and the McCreary Middle Youth Service Center, The Extension Agent wrote and received grants totaling $2,000 to assist with expenses of the program.

Other Agencies involved were, Ky. Department of Fish & Wildlife, McCreary Central FFA Forestry Students, Garrard County 4-H, Bell County ARN, Kentucky State University, JM Fletner 4-H Camp Staff and UK College of Ag, Food & Environment.

Some of the programs presented were: Water, Insects, Water Creatures, Wood Magic, Bird Adaptations, Project Wet & Wild Programs, Black Bears, Animal Habitat, Animal Furs/Natural Resources and Forestry.

Impact:

• 53 youth, 9 adult leaders and 2 teen leaders attended the program.
• 100% reported that Environmental Education Camp had increased their knowledge and awareness of their environment
• 98% 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 14%  4 59%   5 27%            

• 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 27%   2 66%   3 7%       After attending    1 0%   2 16%   3 84%       A 38% increase in knowledge

Other Comments on what they learned while attending

• I learned about different types of trees, black bears, honey bees, insects, landfill recycling, animal adaptations, and so much more.
• I learned about different trees, animals, and insects
• I learned about honey bees, bears, different kinds of bugs and different types of trees. I also learned about birds.
• At the Recycling Center I learned what can/can’t be recycled, how things go through the process, and other things like that.
• We need to recycle more to save our planet.
• That there is a way to get energy from waste.
• That we make way too much trash.
• I learned how they take all the methane out of things and how garbage makes electricity.
• It was the best camp ever.
• Never stop this camp, it was the funnest thing!
• I think this camp is a very good thing for students to go on because you learn a lot and they make it fun while you’re there.

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