Day 4 – Summer Service Camp

It was the perfect day to be outside as our theme for the day was the Environment. We discussed the big picture of the environment – from air to water – and how its well-being affects our lives and future.

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In the morning, we were honored to be invited to volunteer at Gentian Creek Preserve – a new non-profit dedicated to engaging and enlightening students of all ages through exploration-based experiences that develop a lifelong appreciation of nature and an understanding that all living things are linked. After taking a tour of their amazing facility, we were carted off into the wilderness to work on a new trial research project – leaf packs. Leaf packs create a habitat for creatures in the creek areas and help their team better understand the existing wildlife and how to help restore the habitat to create a pleasing natural environment to encourage more wildlife. Our team of campers inspected, identified, and cataloged creek dwellers like microscopic larvae and crayfish. The team was so thrilled with the trial results, that our campers were asked to create more leaf packs for continued use – which, of course, we did!

In the afternoon, we met up with Keep Thomas County Beautiful at the Ochlocknee River where we participated in a watershed demonstration showing how items can pollute our water sources. We then spread out along the river bank to pick up litter. And there was a lot! Everything from bottles to chip bags to clothing to tires. In under two hours, we had filled 4-5 giant garbage bags with litter which we then deposited in the dump just a few blocks from the river entrance. It was dirty work, but someone (unfortunately) has to do it. Our campers were definitely game!