Title:

G02-NPS-20 Youth Water Quality Camp with Lewis and Clark Theme

Sponsor:

Buchanan County Extension/Berry

Project Manager:

Meredith Berry
PO Box 7077
St. Joseph, MO 64507-7077
816-279-1691
berrym@missouri.edu

Project Period:

6/1/2002 - 10/31/2002

319 Grant Funds:

$4,200

Project Description:

YOUTH WATER QUALITY CAMP WITH LEWIS and CLARK THEME

The discussions school children hear regarding the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial provides an opportunity to teach the importance of water quality in a new and different way. Changes in the Missouri River watershed since 1804 have been profound. By comparing and contrasting the history of the Missouri River with the current status of the Missouri River and its area watersheds, children can begin to understand the changes that have occurred and the impact on water quality that these changes have made.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Buchanan Co. University Outreach and Extension Center will sponsor a youth water quality camp at the Farwesta Camp located just outside of Stewartville, Missouri. Two full days of programming will be devoted to teaching 50 youths (ages 8-12) about the Missouri River watersheds, stream bank erosion and water quality as affected by non-point source pollution. The Missouri Department of Conservation will bring a dugout canoe and explain items, equipment and methods the Lewis and Clark Expedition used to carry out their mission as they traveled up the Missouri River. This demonstration will include discussion of their camping on the river bluffs and the impact the expedition might have had on the watershed. Enviroscape models will be used to teach the concept of watershed and non-point source pollution, while tying the discussion to possible sources of NPS in 1804.

OBJECTIVES

Campers will learn the following:

1. how the Lewis and Clark Expedition may have impacted the Missouri River in 1804 vs. some ways we presently impact the Missouri River;
2. the meaning of the term non-point source pollution and some of its causes through hands on activities with enviroscapes;
3. how the Native Americans living in the area in 1804 may have taken steps to protect the watershed and what tools they used;
4. how surface and groundwater can become contaminated by NPS pollution.

PRODUCTS

Pretest and Posttest will be administered and scored for each camper
Surveying he campers' parents following the camp will collect additional anecdotal evidence.

PROJECT SPONSOR

Buchanan County University Outreach and Extension

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Missouri Department of Conservation
University Outreach and Extension

CONTACT

Buchanan Co. University Outreach and Extension
4125 Mitchell Avenue, PO Box 7077
St. Joseph Missouri 64507
Joan Hickman and Beverly Maltsberger
telephone: 816--279-1691
maltsbergeb@missouri.edu