How We Do It

---

A large effort is made every year towards Festival sponsorship to help keep costs down for students. Festival activities are also frequently updated so they continue to meet curriculum standards, teacher’s needs, and are inclusive for people of all abilities. The only thing we don’t do is arrange the weather!

In order to carry out these messages successfully, a committee was established in 1998 with Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOCA) being the lead organization. Currently the community partners on the committee include representatives from:

• Central Lake Ontario Conservation
• Durham Catholic District School Board
• Durham District School Board
• Friends of Second Marsh
• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
• Ontario Power Generation (Darlington Nuclear)
• Region of Durham (Health Department & Works Department)
• Scouts Canada (Camp Samac)

---

Our Philosophy

---

The Durham Children’s Watershed Festival promotes the awareness that water is the basis for all life and shows how water plays an essential role in the social and economic development of Ontario. Communities, like ours, depend on water resources to support the growth of commerce, industry and transportation. The Festival motivates students to become water stewards in their classroom and community by combining hands-on, interactive activities with messages relevant to their daily lives. Throughout their day at the Festival, students soak-up knowledge on the properties, uses, connections and importance of water and habitat. With this information, students become more aware of the value of conserving and protecting water. Interaction with industry professionals, water experts and enthusiastic educators highlight the environmental education programming of the Festival.

---

About Us

---

Launched as part of Central Lake Ontario Conservation's (CLOCA) 40th anniversary theme of “Water Quality” in 1998, the goal of the Durham Children's Watershed Festival is to increase the awareness of grade four students concerning water issues and motivate them to become water stewards in their home, classroom and community. ​ The Festival is held at Camp Samac in Oshawa and consists of 35 hands-on, curriculum connected, interactive activities with messages relevant to the student’s daily lives. Through the activity centres, students will discover the importance of water in their lives and how their actions affect the watershed in which they live. The objective is for students to enjoy themselves while learning about important water issues. Every year, approximately 4,200 students visit the Festival.

---

Parking

---

No parking is available at the Festival for personal vehicles.

---

Structure of a Festival Day

---

Times Activity Centres: 9:30-11:45am Lunch: 11:45-12:15 Activity Centres: 12:15-1:20pm Grade 4 students should be organized in advance of the Festival into groups of 5-8 accompanied by one taecher or one adult chaperone. The Festival runs rain or shine. Check the weather report and dress appropriately (comfortable waterproof footwear is a good idea!). Lunches are to be litterless and backpacks must be carried throughout the day. Please bring refillable water bottles. ​ Before you come, you may plan ahead and select activities and exhibits that best suit your students’ needs. To assist in this process, please use the Watershed Activities List along with the Festival Planner (see "Materials for Your Trip").

---

Adult / Parent Chaperones

---

Adult chaperones arrive with the bus as no parking is available at the Festival. Grade 4 students should be organized in advance of the Festival into groups of 5-8 students accompanied by one teacher or one adult chaperone. Adults must bring a litterless, nut-free lunch as they are not permitted to leave the Festival until the end of the day.

---

Curriculum Expectation

---

All learning centres have been designed to complement the Ontario Science & Technology Curriculum Expectations for Grade 4 Students. One of the learning goals is that students have the knowledge to say “I can use water wisely!” ​ Curriculum Expectations that are met at the Festival Include: ​ Life Systems Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of habitat and community, and identify the factors that could affect habitats and communities of plants and animals. Describe ways in which humans can change habitats and the effects of these changes on the plants and animals within the habitats. Investigate the dependency of plants and animals on their habitat and the interrelationships of the plants and animals living in a specific habitat. ​ Earth & Space Systems​ Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of rocks and minerals and the effects of erosion on the landscape. Investigate, test and compare the physical properties of rocks and minerals and investigate the factors that cause erosion of the landscape. Describe the effects of human activity (e.g., land development, building of dams, mine development, erosion-preventing measures) on physical features of the landscape, and examine the use of rocks and minerals in making consumer products.

---

Online Resources

---

A list of online resources is prepared each year for teachers interested in supplementing students' learning before and after their day at the Festival.

---