Beginning Aug. 1, local teenagers will have an opportunity to spend a fun-filled week learning about the environment and how to enhance, use and protect it for future generations, all for free.
Eco Camp 2011 is a joint venture of local manufacturer Sekisui S-LEC America, the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service and several other community groups for teens ages 14-17. It will be from Aug. 1 to 5 at the Sekisui plant located at 1200 Rolling Hills Lane in the Winchester Industrial Park.
The camp will consist of classes, projects and field trips and include components on wind/solar energy, gardening and nutrition, fitness, soil erosion, water pollution, landfilling and recycling.
Along with the field trips, campers will also have opportunities to construct rain barrels, above-ground flower boxes, picnic tables and benches.
Jennifer Howard, county extension agent for family and consumer sciences, said the camp is a great way to get teens involved in a variety of environmental concepts they otherwise might not learn about.
“Most of the teens have heard about recycling and things like that, but my hope is that the camp gives them a better appreciation for our resources beyond recycling,” Howard said. “They will learn things like seeing how they can have a part in taking care of our water system by learning what happens when things are put into storm drains, and learn the importance of having living habitats that help other ecosystems.”
Teens who participate in the Eco Camp will then be invited back on Sept. 17 to put their new knowledge to use by helping create a walking trail in the field adjacent to the Extension Office and the Winchester Fire-EMS Station No. 3 at the entrance to the Industrial Park.
Members of the Sekisui corporate human resource department and human resource managers from other Sekisui plants in North America and Mexico will be on hand to help the campers work on the trail.
Howard said getting a trail near the Industrial Park would be a huge boost for workers in the area and their families.
“We have been wanting something like this forever, so we’re excited about the possibilities it will offer to the entire community, but especially for families of people working in the industrial park,” Howard said.¿“Most people working out here don’t have time to drive to one of the other trails, so having one here, they can go as they are coming or going to work, or if they want to get out at lunch. Having access to a place to exercise that is more convenient should be huge.”
Lunch will be provided each day, and while there is no cost for the camp, space is limited to about 40, and campers will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, or to enroll in the camp, contact Michelle Stevens at 745-4676 extension 113, or Mariko Deck at extension 112.
Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.
Eco Camp 2011 is a joint venture of local manufacturer Sekisui S-LEC America, the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service and several other community groups for teens ages 14-17. It will be from Aug. 1 to 5 at the Sekisui plant located at 1200 Rolling Hills Lane in the Winchester Industrial Park.
The camp will consist of classes, projects and field trips and include components on wind/solar energy, gardening and nutrition, fitness, soil erosion, water pollution, landfilling and recycling.
Along with the field trips, campers will also have opportunities to construct rain barrels, above-ground flower boxes, picnic tables and benches.
Jennifer Howard, county extension agent for family and consumer sciences, said the camp is a great way to get teens involved in a variety of environmental concepts they otherwise might not learn about.
“Most of the teens have heard about recycling and things like that, but my hope is that the camp gives them a better appreciation for our resources beyond recycling,” Howard said. “They will learn things like seeing how they can have a part in taking care of our water system by learning what happens when things are put into storm drains, and learn the importance of having living habitats that help other ecosystems.”
Teens who participate in the Eco Camp will then be invited back on Sept. 17 to put their new knowledge to use by helping create a walking trail in the field adjacent to the Extension Office and the Winchester Fire-EMS Station No. 3 at the entrance to the Industrial Park.
Members of the Sekisui corporate human resource department and human resource managers from other Sekisui plants in North America and Mexico will be on hand to help the campers work on the trail.
Howard said getting a trail near the Industrial Park would be a huge boost for workers in the area and their families.
“We have been wanting something like this forever, so we’re excited about the possibilities it will offer to the entire community, but especially for families of people working in the industrial park,” Howard said.¿“Most people working out here don’t have time to drive to one of the other trails, so having one here, they can go as they are coming or going to work, or if they want to get out at lunch. Having access to a place to exercise that is more convenient should be huge.”
Lunch will be provided each day, and while there is no cost for the camp, space is limited to about 40, and campers will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, or to enroll in the camp, contact Michelle Stevens at 745-4676 extension 113, or Mariko Deck at extension 112.
Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.
