2012-Staunton State Park Young Stewards Program

Start Date-End Date: 07/21/2012-07/21/2012 Land Manager Office: CPW - Staunton State Park Land Manager Contact: Jennifer Anderson Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Bring your 6-10 year olds to Staunton State Park for a half-day Young Stewards Program. Groups of youth will rotate between three different themes throughout the morning. Every hour the groups will rotate between Skins/Skulls and Environmental Education, a Stewardship Project, and a short hike and outdoor games. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE Staunton State Park will be Colorado's 43rd state park and is set to open to the public later in 2012. The park is located 40 southwest of Denver, near Conifer. YOUNG STEWARDS PROGRAM Don't miss this family opportunity to experience Colorado's newest state park, Staunton, before it opens to the public! Bring the whole familyfor a unique half-day of environmental education, outdoor stewardship, and outdoor games and recreation, all designed for young children ages 6-10. As a family, learn about invasive weeds and why they are extremely destructive to the habitat and the wildlife that live in the park. Learn which plants are invasive weeds and get your hands dirty helping pull them. This will be a fun, youth-focused day outside for the whole family to learn and give back together. This program is designed for young children, ages 6-10. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the morning. PARTNERS Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPAW) SmartWool OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: Snacks All youth participants will receive a free pair of SmartWool socks! Latitude/Longitude: 39.46670150756836, -105.37409973144531 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 8 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 10 Total Volunteer Days: 18 Total Unique Volunteers: 18 Total Volunteer Hours: 135 Staff Hours: 18 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: Just over 20 youth ages 6-10 (including a Boys and Girls Club group) adults worked alongside youth and participated in outdoor activities. Lesson on invasive weed species and eradication, hike with fun outdoor games, and a skin and skulls program. SmartWool provided hiking socks for all youth Crossroads Pub and Grill provided "kids eat free" meal coupons Staunton State Park looks forward to making this an annual event with VOC!