Loading...
Lakeshore Advance, 2012-05-30, Page 22Students discover nature at Camp Sylvan thanks to donation from family of late Frank Wight ABCA Elementary school stu- dents from North Middlesex, Warwick, and Lambton Shores, are discovering nature at Camp Sylvan, thanks to a generous dona- tion from the family of the late Frank Wight. Grade 7 students from St. John Fisher Catholic School in Forest are among the pupils who have recently RICH _'.',1 ';;11 Fri &Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 7:30 Owls anwa 001.1. RPM 0Z p L P R www inoviehnks.ca June 10 -16 S ry Li� w 2.r -s\ ;%• • .� i► 1-3:71104'1 MAIDS Fri&Sat 6:45 a 9:15 Sun - Thur 7:30 PG 1-800-265-3438 ATTENTION READERS Mike advantage of our pricing for HAPPY NOTES Includes: Birthdays, Anniversaries Weddings, Engagements, Graduations etc. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Actual Size: Pre -Payment is Required Just bring in your photo & write-up and well do the rest. Other Sizes & Prime available upon request. 58 Ontario St., N. Grand Bend (519) 238-5383 experienced the outdoors and learned about the natural environment through help from the donation. Teacher Mike Reeb brought 36 stu- dents last month to learn curriculum - based concepts of ecoystems and water quality through active educa- tional programs. Students put on rain boots, walked into a pond, and used dip nets to find some small aquatic creatures that live in the Ausable River watershed. They found crayfish, tadpoles, dragonfly and mayfly larvae, and other creatures liv- ing at the bottom of the pond. They learned which species indicate good water quality and they used testing kits to measure chemical parameters in the water. 'they also took part in an active game in the forest where they learned about herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Many of the students were experienc- ing these kinds of outdoor nature activi- ties for the first dine. "A lot of these chil- dren haven't experienced camping in the outdoors or been active in natural areas," Reeb said. "This program at Camp Sylvan combines nature, science, and physical fitness, and those are three important things we want the students to experience" 'ferry O'llagan was one of the par- ent volunteers during the school's visit to the Sylvan Conservation Pro- gram. 'Ihe 'Ihedford man said he lives not far from Camp Sylvan but was sur- prised how big a facility it is. "i think KION411 BRANCH 498, GRAND BEND BINGO Thesday - 7pm MEAT DRAWS Friday - 5pm-7pm ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, June 11th 3-6pm "SEN SHANE & ROBBY K" Legion Golf Fun Day Fundraiser and Dinner Saturday, June 18th Bayview Golf Course Shotgun Start Contact Legion for more Information 238-2120 "You're only a stranger here once." EVERYONE WELCOME Ape of meiortty card required. HALL RENTALS CaII: Sharon 610-238-6866 this is great for the stu- dents," he said. "It's a life experience." Students at the school said they liked a tag game using environmental con- cepts, learning about trees, an active survival game, and learning about the importance of differ- ent animal species in the ecosystem. A new generation of students now has the opportunity to experi- ence outdoor learning themselves at Camp Syl- van, thanks to the dona- tion in Frank's memory. Educators at elementary schools in Township of Warwick, or municipali- ties of North Middlesex and Lambton Shores, are encouraged to contact Julie Stellingwerff, Con- servation Education Spe- cialist, at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to find out about this new and rare opportunity. A downloadable teacher's guide about the Sylvan Conservation Program is available at abca.on.ca. The Camp Sylvan Con- servation Program is the longest -running outdoor education program of its kind. Educators can choose from three field trip durations: one day, one-night, or two -night visits. Educators have a local opportunity to help their students attain envi- ronmental education expectations of the Ontario curriculum and to bring students to an acclaimed outdoor education site. Students will gain knowledge of local ecosystems and obtain tangible skills through active outdoor learning experiences, while also acquiring life- long memories. CONTACT:Julie Stel- lingwerff, Conservation Education Specialist, at Ausable Bayfield Conser- vation, 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail jstellingwerff@abca.on.ca Backgrounder Frank Wight was very involved at Camp Sylvan, where he volunteered his time for many years. He brought artifacts to life for the children, shared his knowledge and appreciation of nature, and answered all their questions patiently. Frank Wight has passed away but his name will continue to be linked with nature and Camp Sylvan. The family of Frank Wight has honoured his memory through a memorial dona- tion to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF). The donation will help reduce the costs for classes of Grade 6-8 students from several schools to attend the Sylvan Conservation Pro- gram over the next three years. Elementary schools located in the Municipal- ity of North Middlesex, Township of Warwick, or Municipality of Lambton Shores, are eligible. Classified & Display Advertising DEADLINES Fridays @ 2:00 pm Kineto Theatre ei Forest "FAST FIVE" Rating: PG (Violence) Juno 10, 11, 12&14th Starring: Vin Diesel Paul Waller, Dwayne Johnson "We thank the family of Frank Wight for this generous donatlon which will help the next genera- tion to learn at Camp Syl van and connect with— their natural surround- ings through active out- door experiences," said Ernie Miatello, Chairman of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Founda- tion (ABCF). "It is a fit- ting tribute to the mem- ory of Frank Wight for students to develop an appreciation for nature, just as Frank had." Frank Wight farmed his whole life in the former Bosanquet Township. He lived on the family farm near Thedford, a short distance across the Aus- able River from Camp Sylvan. One of his special interests was a collec- tion of indigenous arti- facts, the stone tools and points left thousands of years ago, that turned up in the fields above the Ausable Valley. He was a lifelong student of nature who subscribed to National Geographic magazine for 30 years and he knew a great deal about the Carolinian For- est of this region. Much of his knowledge came from careful observation and exploration, from lis- tening to others, and from reading on his own. He shared his respect and love of the outdoors with others, especially Scouts and students at Camp Sylvan. New to Grand Bend and area? Had a New Baby? Getting Married? First Time Grandparents? Starting a Business? Be sure to call... -LCOME IAlk AGON.m 3,Nca 1930 Faye Van Oss 519-238-8048 1.866-873.9941 Welcome Wagon has free gifts and information on behalf of tirand Bend & area businesses. www.welcomewagon.ca