While being treated to summer-like weather on an October day, hundreds of kids had a chance to learn about one of the Earth’s most precious resources.
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The Chatham-Kent Lambton Children’s Water Festival kicked off Tuesday at CM Wilson Conservation Area, located near Blenheim, and will run until Thursday.
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Featuring interactive displays, the annual event covers water science, technology, conservation, protection, and attitudes toward water.
Don Hector, festival co-ordinator, said despite a fog delay earlier in the morning, which impacted bussing, the conditions couldn’t have been better.
“It’s all about getting them introduced to … sort of a basic understanding of what goes on in the water world,” he said. “So that in the future they can put it all together and see what’s going on in the community and on the landscape.”
Approximately 600 elementary pupils from grades four and five take part each day, with 100 high schoolers assisting at various stations throughout the site.
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Along with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, numerous community groups, educators and government departments are involved.
Participants have a chance to view aquatic life up close, including fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Through demonstrations, they learn about water usage in showers, toilets and laundry, water safety, and the harm pollution can cause.
To show how lakes and rivers can impact nearby homes, there was a display of model houses, with various protective solutions, such as berms, discussed with children.
“Everything you see here, it’s not someone telling them, it’s them doing it,” Hector said.
Erin Gabriel, a teacher at Zone Township Central elementary school called the event a valuable experience. She believes starting young will help pupils form good habits.
“I think it’s an incredible opportunity to learn how they can make a difference,” she said. “And how a little change can make a big difference.”
Nahliyah Chisholm, 9, who attended the same school, found the educational exhibits.
“We learn about all the different types of water,” she said, adding she enjoyed taking part in the demonstrations.
Since 2007, more than 18,000 elementary and 3,300 high school students, in addition to 2,400 teachers and parents have been involved in the festival.
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