First-graders enjoy real life at Pond Field Day
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

A cut above Jonah Peterson and Paul Marcellino demonstrate the need for responsible forest management to Carroll County first-graders during Pond Field Day. Among other activities, students were taught various aspects of tree conservation. Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp

Water, food and shelter are basic elements to survival. When one or more of those elements is not available in a habitat, life can no longer be sustained.

That important lesson cannot be taught fully inside the walls of a school.

For that reason, first grade students from Carroll, Camden and Hillcrest experienced Pond Field Day last week courtesy of Purdue Extension Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

For 11 years students have been led by Rhonda Hicks of SWCD to the property of Jonah and Beverly Peterson of rural Delphi. There a pond, dense woodland and a host of animals, insects and plants offer opportunities to educate the young minds.

Students spent time learning about wildflowers, indigenous animals, tree conservation, fish and amphibians. A nature walk afforded them the chance to witness and learn about the natural process of generation, death and regeneration that helps sustain the forest and its inhabitants. Educational games taught how habitats of humans and other animals share fragile connections.

Interactive fishing Tyler Smart prepares to cast his line with the help of Delphi aide Elizabeth Brown during Pond Field Day sponsored by Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District. The yearly program afforded first grade students the opportunity to interact with parents and volunteers as children learned the delicate balance of water, food and shelter. Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp

Volunteers for the event included Alan and Debbie Schulz, Jason Potts, Leah Harden of Clinton County SWCD, Wendell Zetterberg of Frog Watch, Paul Marcellino and Joanne Lytton of Purdue Extension Carroll County and a many parent volunteers.

Hicks said a benefit of the program was quality time between children and their parents.

"You don't have to go to Indy for a field trip," Hicks remarked. "There is plenty to see, do, learn and cherish right here in front of us."