REaching out: Students take to festivals like fish to water
Water Ways educate children in Crossett and Cedar Springs
How much water does it take to make paper? How does a dam work? What are the best ways to conserve water? Ask a fourth grader these questions in Cedar Springs, Ga., or Crossett, Ark., and they just might give you the correct answer.
That's because almost 500 middle school students participated in Georgia-Pacific's Water Ways program. This program helps kids understand water conservation and how water is used through fun, hands-on activities and learning stations.
In Cedar Springs, where the idea of having a water ways festival was born, students were treated to a pontoon boat ride on Lake Kolomoki where they learned about water safety. For some, it was the first time they held a fishing pole. In Crossett, students helped plant trees in a local park.
"The entire community gets involved in these festivals," said Teresa Walsh, public affairs manager in Crossett. Community organizations and government groups, like the Game and Fish Commission, share their expertise to help the kids learn about the many different aspects of water.
In Cedar Springs, the festival was a life-long lesson many students promised to take home and teach their families. At the end of the day, fifth grade student Kevon Smith said, "I know that I will do better with water because I've learned all the things water does for us."