Eco-Camp Teaches Kids Importance of Clean Environment
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Aug 1, 2012 at 8:49 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 1, 2012
A local summer camp received a donation Tuesday as part of Time Warner's 'Connect a Million Minds' charity program. Valerie Gonzalez-Sanchez reports on why Time Warner took notice of this particular group.
A contribution of $1500 made by Time Warner is helping a small group of campers make big changes. The Rio Grande International Studies Center is hosting an Eco-Camp that focuses on developing interest in Science among children. Tricia Cortez, RGISC Executive Director, expresses her gratitude: "They look for projects to fund that really elevate the opportunities for students to think critically about science, nature and math. So, we're very happy that they chose our eco-camp as one of their projects to fund."
'Thinking critically' is exactly what they do. Through hands-on activities like kayaking and water testing, and daily field trips to places like the wind farm in Bruni, children are taught about the environment. Cidonio 'Cid' Colorado, a camper shares what he's learning at camp: "It's awesome, because we get to learn how to recycle, how to save our environment, how to conserve water and a lot of stuff."
One of the activities handed out to open children's eyes to the pollution around them is a tally sheet where they record the litter they've found. Take a close look, and you can see just how much they've learned. Huriel Corona, another camper tells us what he says "the main thing of trash that we found was plastic."
Although it's their first year, organizers are already looking forward to the rest. Cortez says "This year was our first batch with 45 campers. We really look forward to what we can accomplish in the years to come."
For Pro8News, Valerie Gonzalez-Sanchez.
Aside from the donation by Time Warner, organizers say they also received significant donations by HEB, the City, Stripes, La Posada, among others.
