Remember playing outside until Mom called you in for dinner? Most kids today won’t because they now spend most of their time indoors. Getting outside helps kids connect with the world around them, and inspires our next generation of leaders. It also fights some of the most common childhood ailments: stress, obesity, and ADHD.
That’s why Inland Empire Waterkeeper founded Rivercamp, a one of a kind interactive environmental science camp in Riverside “The purpose of this camp is to connect the children of the Inland Empire with the Santa Ana River. Really, my purpose is to connect them with nature in general but the Santa Ana River is kind of how I do that,” said Megan Brousseau, director of Inland Empire Waterkeeper.
In its third year, Rivercamp served a record 64 students, 24 of which were underserved and attended on scholarship provided by local and corporate donors. Learning tools included microscopes to observe plant cells, and skeletons of animals to to examine and sketch in lab notebooks. Children also observed macroinvertebrates in the river, interacted with geologists and broke their own geodes, met live animals, and some splashed in the Santa Ana River for the very first time. Each day, time was dedicated to foster stewardship by connecting Rivercampers to nature, either by climbing trees, playing in the river, or exploring the riparian forest through nature walks.
Getting wet at Rivercamp gives youth a shared experience of what it is to be a Californian and to learn how to protect the special places that fuel our economy. Outdoor play nurtures their mind, body and spirit.
Communications Consultant Lola Dvorak supports CCKA’s strategic communications by helping waterkeepers tell their stories.
