Chatham-Kent
& Lambton
Children’s
Water Festival
October 2 – 4, 2012
C. M. Wilson Conservation Area
Helping Our Kids
Learn
Through
Community
Partnerships
2012 Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival
Overview
The sixth annual Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival was
successfully held October 2 - 4, at the C.M. Wilson Conservation Area,
Chatham. High school students from Chatham-Kent volunteered to help
facilitate the 42 interactive water-related centres and multi-media
displays by assisting agency staff, ground and surface water experts
and other adult volunteers. All Activities were linked to the Ontario
School Curriculum in ways that helped students achieve the desired
expectations in Science and Technology, Social Studies, Environment,
Mathematics and Physical Education. Events and Activities were geared
to the Grade 4 student level.
The Festival was designed
to be hands-on and
experiential in order to
enhance and personalize
learning. One of the goals
of attending the Festival is
to take the knowledge
and newfound respect for
water back to their homes,
schools and communities.
Festival Highlights
• Over
1350 elementary students attended the Festival along with
260 teachers and parent volunteers
• 33 schools from three school boards along with
a group of home schooled children attended over
the three-day Festival period
• Day three offered most Activities in French
as well as English
• Over
100 local organizations and individuals
partnered to make the Festival a success
• Over
100
volunteers helped each day
• 42 Activities based on five water related themes were
showcased at the Festival
• Close to
Festival
$24,000.00 in cash sponsorships were raised for the
“I liked talking with the
adult volunteer at our
tent, she was funny and
knowledgeable”
– Summer, student
• Nearly $33,000.00
of in-kind donations
and volunteer time
was provided by
Chatham-Kent &
Lambton supporters
Volunteers at the Festival
Over 100 volunteers per day help out in various ways such as facilitating
the 42 Activity stations, Activity coordination, bus parking, traffic control, greeting, volunteer registration, safety and security, site set-up and
The Water Festival is a great
opportunity for our students to take
Volunteers came from a diversity
on a leadership role concerning
issues that affect their everyday
of backgrounds including members
life. The Festival definitely brings
of the community and local
out the best in our students.
- Mr. Williams,
organizations, provincial agency
take-down and other on-site logistics.
staff and municipal representatives.
Chatham-Kent Secondary School
Environmental Club Leader
The majority of volunteer assistance came from High School students
recruited from five local high schools including Blenheim High School,
Chatham-Kent Secondary School, Ursuline College, John McGregor
Secondary School and Ècole secondaire de Pain Court.
“We certainly hope that the organizers continue to provide this
well-organized festival for the students in our area. They conveyed a
powerful message about water to our students in a wonderful way.”
- Teacher, Lambton-Kent District School Board
Festival Sponsorship & Funding
The Festival was successful in securing close to
$24,000.00 in cash
donations and grants. These sources included:
Retired Teachers of Ontario (R.T.O.)
Service to Others Fund
TD Friends of the Environment
Chatham-Kent and Lambton Chapters
Captain Garnet Bracken I.O.D.E.
Rural Lambton Stewardship Network
Friends of the St. Clair River
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
Stewardship Kent
Ahcom Shrine Club, Chatham
Canadian Tire Corporation, Chatham
Kent Federation of Agriculture
Ursuline Sisters
Tilbury Lions Club
“What I liked about the day
is that it was organized and
everyone knew what they
were doing”
– Allison, student
The Festival also received in-kind donations in the amount of $19,000.00
These sources included:
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority,
C.M. Wilson Conservation Area – site
Lambton-Kent District School Board
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
Le conseil scolaire du district des ecoles catholique du Sud Oest
Chatham-Kent Children’s Safety Village - site
Dutton Meadows Golf Course – golf carts
Wallaceburg Antique Motor & Boat Outing – discount on lunch tent
East Kent Vintage Tractors Association – Festival tent
South-West Outdoors Club, Wheatley – Festival tent
Chatham-Kent 4-H – Festival tent
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority – Festival tent
Kent Tent Rentals – discount on tent rentals
Chatham-Kent Parks and Recreation – loan of tables and chairs
Chatham Kent Environmental Services
Chatham-Kent Health Unit
Chatham Internet Access – web site
Nature’s Way – staffing
The Lake Erie Management Unit
– provided a display of a variety of native and non-native fish
species as part of the Great Lakes Invader Activity
St. Clair College Law and Security, Police Foundations
& Border Services Agent Program – volunteer security
Bedell’s Frozen Foods – volunteer lunch snacks
Leclair Custom Crop Services – straw bales
Essex Children’s Water Festival – loan of well sealed model
Festival Program & Activities
A total of 42 hands-on Activities were
in place and facilitated by high school
and adult volunteers throughout the
Festival. These Activities covered five
water related Activity themes.
All Activities were connected to the
Ministry of Education Ontario
Curriculum in ways that helped
students achieve the desired
expectations. Activities were
“The experiences I’ve had here
at the Children’s Water Festival and
with the environmental club at school
have really changed my focus and
perspective on what I want to go into.”
- Jessica, CKSS Student
designed to be as hands-on and experiential
Member of CKSS
Environmental Club
as possible in order to enhance and personalize the learning experience.
Activity Themes
Through various multi-media Activity centres, students had the
opportunity to learn about five general themes of water:
1. Water Science
• The physical science of surface and groundwater
• The hydrologic (water) cycle
• Watersheds
• The role of water quality and quantity to aquatic life
2. Water Technology
• The role of energy
• How water is treated, stored and distributed
3. Water Conservation
• The importance of using less water
in our homes, schools and communities
• Ways to reduce water consumption
4. Water Protection
• The interdependence of soil, water, plants, people and animals
• Positive steps we can take to keep water clean
5. Water Attitude
• Historical utilization of water compared to present use
• Common misconceptions toward water and ways to improve current
attitudes and consumption patterns
Detailed descriptions of these Activities can be found at
www.ckwaterfest.com
Activities Developed or Led
by Partnership Groups
Sciensational Snakes returned this year leading “Wetland Friends”
a live snakes and reptiles exhibit with messages around
the importance of aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats
for some of the wetland dependent Ontario native species.
The significance of Aboriginal attitudes toward water
was presented through a puppet play called “Turtle Island”. This play was based on Haudenosaunee teaching stories of the Oneida
Nation of the Thames led by Derekica Snake.
Rob Tymec and his acting company led a mystery play
theatre in the Barn Pavilion as well as providing a magic
show and entertainment during the lunch time period.
The Retired Teachers of Ontario, (R.T.O.) provided
volunteer assistance (nine retired teachers) and a
grant under their program called Service to Others. Thanks to the R.T.O.
group of teachers that
volunteered throughout the
3-day Festival: Gary Eagleson,
Steve Okopny, Gary Lambert,
Dan Bunning, Tom Brunt,
Lynn Sulman, George Argenti,
“The Children’s water festival allows local
retired teachers to actively contribute to an
important learning experience for our young
citizens. The beauty of the outdoor setting
and the seemingly boundless energy and
enthusiasm of the students makes a
‘Dream Classroom’ come true.”
Joan Fitzpatrick, and Gale Lovell.
- Gary Eagleson, Retired Teacher
The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
(CK PUC) continued to lead two popular Activities
around water treatment processes: “Where It Goes
When I Go” and “A-Maze-ing Water Treatment” led
by their team of staff members over the course of
the week. Many thanks to the CK PUC team.
More Activities Developed
or Led by Partnership Groups
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit returned
with their Activity on hand washing called
“Glow Germ Go”. Thanks to Tara Vyn and staff
from the Health Unit for assisting over the
three-day period . . . Patty Stewardson,
Dan Drouillard, Sue Heatherington, Krista Parker,
Sandy Kambouris, Esther Voss and April Roubos.
Members of the Federation of Agriculture
enhanced the Activities “Well Sealed” and
“Pioneer Water Race”. Thanks to Gayle Bogart,
Don Burgess, Janine Lunn and Kathy Delanghe.
The Chatham-Kent 4-H Club led an Activity called
“Environmental Farm Plan“ and graciously provided
their 4-H Club Festival Tent for housing Activities.
Anne Verhallen and Helmut Spieser assisted the
students in leading this Activity over the three days.
“I liked how involved and interested the kids
became. I also enjoyed the positive environment”
– Amanda, student
Lee Burrows provided his 1946 international K7
pumper antique fire truck and his services as part
of the Pioneer Water Race Activity.
The Lake Erie Management Unit was back again
running the Great Lakes Invaders Activity with
a collection of native and exotic fish from Lake Erie.
Thanks to Stan Powell, Andy Cook, Jenn Richards
and Rich Drouin for leading this Activity.
Volunteers & Staff
Volunteers and staff are constantly working behind the scenes to make sure
the Festival is a success. These jobs range from site set-up to take down,
administrative functions and other logistics.
Many thanks to:
Doug Babcock, Terry Berrie, Mike Bossy, Ian Cameron, Dennis Carnegie
and Family, Judy Case, Deb and John Debok, Tyler Genereaux, Brett Groves,
Deb and Jim Hawkins, Dale Holland, Chris Kirkwood, Todd Lozon,
Ron Ludolph, Larry McDonald, Vicki McKay, John Verhallen, Rick Visser,
Don Wigle, Joyce Wigle.
Many thanks to Local High Schools and Teachers Who Assisted in the
Festival Through the contributions of approximately 300 students:
Blenheim District High School - Ms. Kerr; Chatham-Kent Secondary School
and the Environmental Club - Ms. Fox, Mr. Williams, Mr. Warren;
Ecole Secondaire de Paincourt - Mr. Daniels; John McGregor Secondary School
- Mrs. Crooks-Mulder, Mr. Vandersluis; Ursuline College (The Pines) Mrs. Lucarelli, Mrs. Mrnik, Mr. Evans.
Thanks to Other Staff and Volunteers that Led Activities or Assisted in
a Variety of Logistical Type Activities during the Festival:
Ed Anson, Gloria Anson, Cori Charlton, Marie Fish, Melissa Gill,
Amanda Griffore, Fred Johnson, Kate McIntyre, Mike Nelson, Laura Penner,
Ann Pierce, Sandra Smith, Cassandra Stabler, Greg Van Every,
Randall Van Wagner, Christine Verhallen, Jason Wintermute.
Recognizing Founding Members / Volunteers and Other Staff that have
contributed to the Festival for many years:
Bonnie Carey, Bruce Clark, Roger Daniel, Penny Daniels, Jerry De Zwart, Marg
Dunlop, Russ Dysarz, Gary Eagleson, Kim Gledhill, Don Hector, Wendy Kubinec,
Barb Lovell, Harald Masse, Karen Mattila, Sandy Maynard, Sharon Nethercott,
Sharlet Piggott, Lynn Pinsonneault-Geddes, Sue Reid, Gary Reissner, Jacquie
Rumiel, Rick Siddall, Cecil Stover, Gale Steadman, Gord Williams, Agnes Vriends.
Chatham-Kent & Lambton
Children’s Water Festival
THANKS YOU
our 2012 Supporters !
OCEAN
Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
Lambton-Kent District School Board
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation
LAKE
Friends of the St. Clair River
The Retired Teachers of Ontario
Rural Lambton Stewardship Network
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority
Stewardship Kent
TD Friends of the Environment Fund
Le Conseil scolaire du district des écoles catholiques du Sud-Oest
WATERSHED
Captain Garnet Bracken I.O.D.E.
Children's Water Education Council
RIVER
Bedell's Frozen Foods
Chatham Internet Access
Chatham-Kent Children's Safety Village
Chatham-Kent Environmental Services
East Kent Vintage Tractors Association
Kent Federation of Agriculture
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Wallaceburg Antique Motor & Boat Outing
4HClub of Chatham-Kent
STREAM
Canadian Tire
Leclair Hidden Hill's Farm
Real Canadian Superstore
Sobeys
Ursuline Sisters
“I got to be loud, energetic and express myself” – Lindsay, student