Do you know the path of a water drop? Do you know where to recycle your old cell phones? Can you get a second life out of your old cardboard egg cartons? How do chocolate chips, raisins and peanuts represent an edible landfill?

Just ask any Carroll County second grader these questions. They will give you a detailed answer because they've been to the Earth Day event at Flora Community Park.

Second graders from Carroll and Delphi Community elementary schools have equipped themselves with the conservation knowledge to lighten the load for poor ol' Mother Earth.

As part of their Earth Day activities, which brought 200 students to the park last week, they learned how, what and why to recycle, where their water comes from, energy conservation, and how soil is made. They enjoyed planting flowers and trees and learned how that benefits the environment. Students relaxed to classic tales of Dr. Seuss's "The Lorax," played environmental bingo, and drew pictures using the "colors of nature."

The focus at the end of the day was a presentation by Kim Hoover of "Hoots to Howls Wildlife Rehab. Inc." As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, she brought along several of her education animals to share with the group. Although "Chitawick," the barred owl, was popular, the students were highly entertained by "Mortie," the groundhog.

Bringing the outdoor classroom setting to second graders was the aim of the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District, who organized the event, with Cargill Inc. as the sponsoring agency.