Description
Start Date-End Date: 06/16/2018-06/16/2018
Land Manager Office: High Plains Environmental Center
Land Manager Contact: Kelley Driscoll
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Join us Father's Day Weekend for a half-day project specifically designed for families with children ages 6-12.
Description: About the Stewardship Site:
The High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) in Loveland features 2 lakes, 76 acres, and 3 miles of trail that are open to the public year-round. The urban park is designed to demonstrate how natural places can be preserved in the midst of development through sustainable planning, and educate communities about the value of land stewardship, native plants, and wildlife habitat. VOC has partnered with HPEC since 2009 and our volunteers have been instrumental in developing the site's many gardens and exhibits.
About the Young Stewards Experience:
This half-day project takes place on Father's Day Weekend and is exclusively for families with children ages 6-12! Participants young and old will help transplant native plants from the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC)'s greenhouse, learn about what it means to be a good steward, and go on a fun nature hike! This project is a fantastic way to bond as a family and introduce your child to the joys of volunteering and exploring the outdoors. We'll provide breakfast and lunch, too!
About the Overall Impact:
With limited staff, VOC volunteers have been critical to the development of HPEC's many gardens and exhibits. By volunteering, families can contribute to HPEC's educational mission and engage their children in meaningful, hands-on experiences designed to invoke a love of nature.
Need-to-Know Details:
Minors:All youth under 16mustbe accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on single-day projects.
Cancellation:Our land manager partners rely on VOC volunteers to accomplish critical stewardship needs, and our projects often have wait lists. If you need to cancel, pleasecontact Jamie Burkeat 303-715-1010 ext. 116 as soon as possible so we can free your spot for another volunteer and have a full workforce.
Latitude/Longitude: 40.420470, -105.013301
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Easy
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 30
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 15
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 19
Total Volunteer Days: 34
Total Unique Volunteers: 34
Total Volunteer Hours: 170
Staff Hours: 11
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: Lauren from theHigh Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) helped VOC staff kick off the project day with some educational background about the project site and work to be done. Despite an early start, volunteers faced sizzling heat as they planted trees. Fortunately, with such a short project day, volunteers were able to keep their moral up with frequent trips to the snack table and natural shade. After volunteers completed planting 30 trees and mulching 60 plants, they were given a tour of the property by Lauren. This tour included such highlights as a birds nest, beehives, and greenhouses. Some volunteers even bought plants!
After the tour was complete, many volunteers stuck around for raffle prizes and adeliciously large lunch provided by Silvermine Subs! It was a short, but sweet project day. Such a good day in fact, that one small child cried, "I don't want to go home!" as his mother took him to the car.
Successes and Challenges: Successes:
All work was accomplished
Volunteers praised shortened project day, suggested more projects of this length.
Many volunteers had been to events at HPEC before, and loved sharing past VOC projects with group.
.HPEC took volunteers on an educational tour of the facility.
Wonderful lunch donation from Silvermine Subs
Challenges:
Youth were present for project that were clearly under 6 years of age.
Very hot weather was a challenge even for short project duration.
Lessons Learned:
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 6 and older |
