East Side Water Watch

East Side Neighborhood Services‘ (ESNS) Summer on Second students explored watershed management and water quality themes in the seven-week summer day camp “Water Watch: Developing Environmental Stewardship through Discovery and Adventure.” Students visited resource professionals at the MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center as well as a pair of nature centers, and also had a canoe workshop on Bde Maka Ska.

During their trips, they explored the river system, wetlands and shoreline areas firsthand. Students studied waste management strategies for improving the health of their watershed — both in the classroom and through outdoor service projects and learning activities. Students took leadership roles in three events where they shared these lessons with their families. They were encouraged to reflect on their personal roles and responsibilities and the importance of waste impacts on the water quality in the watershed. To help with this, ESNS staff created a take-home book for students that highlighted lesson themes.

The MWMO Mini Grant funded educator and programmer wages, purchase of educational supplies, transportation and expenses related to the family events. MWMO educators also provided an interpretive tour of the Stormwater Learning Park and Center. Pre- and post-program evaluations demonstrated a marked increase in the students’ depth of knowledge and in their ability to communicate this information with their families. The camp not only helped 34 students and their families become better water stewards, but also brought a whole new focus on water to ESNS.