Chatham, ON – 1800 local elementary students and over 350 volunteers will be part of a growing outdoor educational event being held at the CM Wilson Conservation Area in early October.  The Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival educates children about water conservation, protection and related environmental issues through fun and interactive activities.  The festival is geared to Grade four and five students.  All activities are linked to the Ontario curriculum in ways that help students achieve the desired expectation in science and technology, social studies, environment, mathematics and physical education. The three-day festival will run October 4-6 and features over 40 hands-on activities.  It is held each year at the CM Wilson Conservation Area just south of Chatham.

“This is a community wide, multi-partner initiative involving over 30 different partnership groups from across the Lambton and Chatham-Kent areas.  They deliver this fun and educational event to a growing number of elementary students each year,” according to Don Hector, the Festival Coordinator.  “The Festival provides leadership opportunities to over 300 high school students who assist in the presentation of the water festival activities, including a French day instructed by local French students.  It also provides an opportunity for the community to learn about and enjoy the long-term benefits of protecting our precious water resources.”  The festival activities portray a balanced mix of urban and rural scenarios around water and challenges students to think about their own actions and how they can bring these messages back to their homes and communities in which they live.

About Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival (CKLCWF)

The CKLCWF runs through a Steering Committee comprised of several community partners including: The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, the Lambton-Kent District School Board, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence, the St. Clair District Catholic School Board, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Kent Federation of Agriculture, and the Chatham Kent 4H Club. This year a number of new partners are coming on board including CK Superkids, Global Voices and a Learn to Fish program led by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.  The local Water Festival was established in 2006 and carried out the 1^st festival in 2007.  Almost 10,000 elementary students have attended the festival over the past 7 years.  Water themed activities include topics on conservation, protection, science, technology and attitude.  For more information visit www.ckwaterfest.com or visit us on Facebook.

 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Don Hector – Coordinator,

Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival

Ph: 226 881-2453   Email:  cklwaterfestival@gmail.com