2015-Force Elementary Youth SWAT at the Urban Farm

Start Date-End Date: 04/01/2015-04/01/2015 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Force Elementary brought 46 students and 5 teachers out to the Urban Farm in Stapleton to learn about the farm, and help them out with all the work that needed to be done. Description: Students will spend the afternoon helping out with daily farm chores, and taking a tour of the farm. Latitude/Longitude: 39.768397, -104.872038 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 5 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 46 Total Volunteer Days: 51 Total Unique Volunteers: 51 Total Volunteer Hours: 127.5 Staff Hours: 6 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On April 1st, 2015, Force Elementary School brought out 46 students to the Urban Farm for the afternoon. The students were all 5th graders that were part of a leadership camp during their Spring Break. The students learned a little bit about the overall farm operation, and then were broken up into groups to go out and help complete different tasks. At the end of the day 2 planting towers had been disassembled and washed, 4 loads of hay had been bailed, 8 fence trenches were dug, a 1/8 acre of plants were watered, and 20 animals were watered. Successes and Challenges: The kids were only at the farm for a short period of time, and they had a short attention span. The farm staff tried to incorporate a farm tour, but they didn't get to all of the children, so making sure that happens for all the kids is important. Lessons Learned: Plan for a solid 1.5 hr project, which will hold the kids' attention. Make sure that they all get to go on the farm tour-- have scheduled times, or fewer groups, so that it is easier to manage. Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Kids learned about the Urban Farm, and what the crops are grown for. They learned about all the hard work that goes into maintaining a farm, but the importance of local, small growers. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: