Child Protection United States Project #17429

Help 75 Students Become Earth Keepers

by Piedmont Wildlife Center

Project Report | Feb 19, 2019
Welcome Spring!

By Maggie Chilton | Off-Site Program Coordinator

Today as I write this update the weather is gorgeous and I am working with the door open. Our Forest View Elementary Earthkeepers program started up for the season on January 25. So far we have worked on our observational skills by examining fox and raccoon pelts and various types of animal bones. Today we plan to think about animal traits and what animal best represents us. Once in the woods, we will play a game called Eagle Eye that allows kids the chance to work on moving quietly in the woods and to practice animal stealth.

Each week at Forest View Earth Keepers the students are so excited to get outside. Our first day back for the season one student, Jordan, found ants huddling under a rock to stay warm and we were able to talk about the coming seasons and how creatures survive. Another activity we worked on was making fairy houses out of natural found materials such as pine straw and sticks. “Look! I made a chandelier!” Romona announced while holding up a creation made of looped pine straw. Being outside provides the space for free creativity and expression for these kids. We thank you for all your support in bringing Earthkeepers programming into schools.

Piedmont Wildlife Center staff were able to participate at a science themed family night at Southwest Elementary and were greeted by smiling faces and excitement for the coming program. As families approached our room, we heard so many children shout down the hall, “Look! Its Piedmont Wildlife Center!” Coming up in March and April we are excited to be bringing Earthkeepers to Carrboro Elementary and to Southwest Elementary. For some time parents and teachers have been begging for this program to be available at their school and we are happy to have the opportunity to provide this experience for thier children. As we develop plans for these new groups of students we are grateful for the contributions that make expanding this program possible. Thank you for all of your support!

Links:

Piedmont Wildlife Center homepage

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Nov 12, 2018
Checking in with one of our Scholarship recipients

By Karen T McCall | Project Leader

Jocelyn at the auction

We are always thankful for your support, especially this time of year. It is great to have a new season well underway with old faces and new. Eager to connect kids to our environment and community, we hope our work lives on. We take time to reflect back on the impact we have had on young people. Maybe it was serendipitous, but I had the rare opportunity to check in with a former Earthkeepers student that we haven’t seen in a long while.

Recently, we held our annual fund raising auction which we could not pull off without volunteers. While setting up tables and displays, I had the pleasure to hear two people come up and ask how they could help me. It was a joy to realize it was Jocelyn and her mom. Jocelyn is an alumnus of the Earthkeepers program at Southwest Elementary School. She had been a recipient of a scholarship for a few years so she could attend the program. This meant so much to her, that Jocelyn wanted to show her gratitude for the opportunity to help us however she could. So she volunteered for the event. She had also done this two years ago. Without your donations, she would not have been able to attend for more than a semester, if at all.

I am happy to share the questions I asked her and her mom and their responses:

1. How much time do you now spend outside after the program?

Jocelyn: “My grandma has a creek behind her house and I like to walk with her or my mom to the creek to see if I see anything.”

2. How did the program influence your outlook on connecting with nature?

Jocelyn: “ I respect nature more because nature and outside is like animals’ home, and when you go to someone's house you respect it don't start messing stuff up."

3. What is she most passionate about in the natural world?

Jocelyn: “Trees! Stop cutting down the trees!”

4. Melina, does Jocelyn share that passion with others and share her knowledge of the natural world with others?

Melina: “Jocelyn has taught me about paw prints and and shares her passion of saving the trees with her friends and family.Thanks again for the opportunity!”- Melina

Have a great Thanksgiving. We are so very thankful that you have our backs, and continue to help us positively impact children’s lives. If you plan to donate before the end of the year, we would love to double your impact on Giving Tuesday, November 27!!

Jocelyn talking with guests

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Aug 13, 2018
Gearing up for the School Year!

By Karen McCall | Project Leader

Cohen loving camp!

Laughter and happy screams, pitter patter of bare feet on pavement, then the kick up of dirt and giggle as toes hit and wiggle in mud. A smile spreads across my face. Then I hear, “Miss Karen! Miss Karen!” I turn to see Cohen, one of our kids from our after school program, in our summer camp. He runs towards me and hugs my knees. Each morning Cohen greets me with such enthusiasm, so excited to be at camp. Three others then jump up, all from our Carrboro Elementary after school bunch. “ We are having so much fun, we love playing in the woods and making fires!” You support has impacted these kids during after school so much that they wanted to build upon their nature knowledge and time in the woods with us through the summer. The joy on their faces and in their voices show how much they love to be outside, having a great time immersed in the outdoors. Thanks for helping us succeed!

In anticipation of the school year, II get a call from a teacher at Southwest Elementary school. She has heard from several parents about this Earthkeepers after school program, and how their kids loved it, how it helped them grow. The teacher calls to find out about it, wants to figure out a way to work out bringing it to her classroom during the regular school hours once a month.

At the end of the week, Cohen lets me know that it is the last week he is here for the summer. “Bye, Ms. Karen! See you at school!” II wave and tell him I cannot wait. We are SO close to meeting our goal for this project! Help us reach our target. The funding you have provided has impacted so many more that we even realize, from students to the parents. Their happiness is contagious, curiosity inspiring, and all motivate me to continue bringing this program to old schools and new. None of this would have been possible without your support and belief. Thank you!!

We will check in once school starts!

See you at school! Hope we are still goofy!

Links:

All the programs we offer

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