Summer Water Quality Day Camp

In 2006 and again in 2007, HRWC offered a week-long summer water quality day camp. Activities during these camps included: learning to read a topographic map, building a watershed model, making compost, identifying native plants, fish and aquatic insects, measuring stream channels and testing dissolved oxygen. Field trips were taken to Brasstown Bald, a local municipal wastewater treatment plant, a working farm and area streams and lakes. Past camps have been free for participants thanks to several sponsors. Please email the Executive Director if you are potentially interested in sponsoring a future camp.

MISSION

The mission of the summer water quality day camp is to:

educate young people at an early age to basic water quality science hoping that they will share this information with others,
encourage the application of environmentally sound practices around the home, and
promote science-oriented careers to young people.

FOCUS

The camp focuses on water quality and watershed investigations by utilizing hands-on activities involving scientific equipment indoors and along streams and taking relevant field trips. Students will also learn practical applications of watershed concepts.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

(campers' responses)

"Brook Trout is the only native trout."

"Trout can live only in very cold temps."

"There are three types of trout in Georgia: Brown, Brook and Rainbow."

"Brown Trout are from Germany and Rainbow Trout are from the West."

"Cold water has more dissolved oxygen than warm water."

"Everyone lives in a watershed."

"Trees keep the bank together."

"When streams and lakes have too much silt, fish can't breathe."

"Animal waste can pollute the water."

"River cane can grow to 15-20 feet."

EVENT SCHEDULE

Each day of camp began at 10:00am and ended at 4:00pm. Transportation from a central pick-up location was available at no cost for the students. Lunch was brought from home by the student every day except Friday.

Monday

What is a Watershed?

Trip to Brasstown Bald

Tuesday

Exploring Land Uses & Water Quality

Trip to a Working Farm

Wednesday

What is in the Water Anyway?

Trip to Wastewater Treatment Facility

Thursday

Measuring Stream Features &

Sampling the Fish Community

at a Local Stream

Friday

Macroinvertebrates

Trip to a Local Park To Swim & Pizza Party

For more camp information, please contact the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition