To promote the links between ecology and economy through watershed management, and to inspire a conservation ethic through education and literature. |
| 2008 Roderick Haig-Brown Memorial Summer Conservation Camp |
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In August 2008 a partnership between BC Wildlife Federation, BC Conservation Foundation and the Roderick Haig Brown Institute will be offering two, separate summer day-camps for children ages 9-12. One week of camp will be hosted in Kamloops in association with the Kamloops and District Fish and Game Association the second will be offered in Chilliwack, in association with the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club.
The camp will support and highlight common interests of the partner organizations through education and youth involvement. Our goal is to foster environmental stewardship and literacy through fun, hands on experiences. We wish to see the program become an annual event, moving from community to community throughout the province. Camp is free of charge the only requirement is to write a story of; “How the environment is important to you and your family”. The submissions are not judged as entry will be on a first come first served basis to a maximum of 16 children per camp.
Children will receive, on the first day of camp, a completely outfitted naturalist backpack, containing a bug net, magnifying container, plant press, hand lens, binoculars, and field guides. The backpacks will have the logos of the sponsoring and partnership bodies on the front and the children will take the packs home at the end of camp.
Children will have the opportunity to participate in a one of a kind, fun, active and interactive, age appropriate, day-camp while learning about the importance of our Wetlands and Conservation of precious habitats. To ensure the participants receive quality education in a fun, safe environment, we are pursuing partnership with Professional Environmental Education organizations such as Wildsight and Wild Ed to provide qualified, certified EE Educators. Other partnerships or affiliations we are pursuing are Ducks Unlimited, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Children will be introduced to the world of Bats, Bugs, Plants, Amphibians, Birds and other Animals that rely on our Wetlands by pulling in professionals from around the province, as guests, from organizations such as; Amphibian Ark, Vancouver Aquarium, BC Naturalists Society, The Bug Zoo, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Ministry of Environment. This legacy and capacity building program has the potential to have far reaching benefits for host communities. The following benefits statements (from the BCRPA Community Recreation Guidelines) range from physical and emotional to community and family, the most direct benefits are; Physical; Fun, healthy, outdoor activities and games Social and emotional; Building lasting friendships with children of the same age and with similar interests, a sense of belonging and inclusion Community; Fosters citizenship and an awareness of community Family; Exposes families to activities they may not have otherwise taken part in, fosters healthy family togetherness, reconnects children and families to the natural world. Environmental; Creating stewards directly and indirectly Activities and Concepts covered will include but are not limited to; WOW Wetlands!Concepts TaughtDefining Wetlands So this is a Wetland! Wetland Functions The Wetland Community Drip Drop Dribble and Splash Wetlands as Homes Going Down Under Wetlands and People Conservation ActivitiesWadding the Wetlands Bug Hunting Aquatic Invertebrate Trapping Survival Tracking Calls Sketching Birdhouse buildingTree planting Special GuestsThe Amphibian Ark The Vancouver Aquarium The Bug Zoo ‘The Bat Lady’ Entomologist Kamloops Wildlife Preserve Vancouver Zoo Dates: Kamloops – August 4 – August 8 9:00am – 4:30pm Chilliwack – August 11 – August 15 9:00am – 4:30pm Registration will begin June 9, 2008, forms can be downloaded from the BC Wildlife Federation, BC Conservation Foundation website. Registration will close, July 25, 2008. |
