28 May Youth Water Festival 2018
Water mural painted by students at the Youth Water Festival, 2018
On Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society hosted Nelson’s first-ever Youth Water Festival at Lakeside Park.
Drawing over 430 students from eight different schools, the Youth Water Festival was an exciting day full of education, art, and games. Students ranged from kindergarten to grade eight and had the opportunity to visit booths from local government, industry, non-profit, and business.
Students were able to learn about benthic invertebrates from the Slocan River Streamkeepers, how to tie knots & water safety from Sail Nelson, low-water gardening from the Regional District of Central Kootenay, storm drains & the Columbia River Watershed from high school volunteers from Wildsight’s Know Your Watershed Program, leadership activities from Nelson & District Youth Centre, electricity from BC Hydro, local watershed knowledge from Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society, an outdoor movie theatre showing invasive species videos, and water testing from the Safe Drinking Water Foundation.
This Festival was aimed at highlighting the importance of freshwater in the Kootenays, specifically Kootenay Lake. Kootenay Lake residents all share a connection to the lake and the Youth Water Festival was a way to offer the opportunity for youth to engage with organizations and businesses that are centered around water in our community.
Each student was given a locally-designed Water Passport where they could record fun facts, colour in water-related images, and get a stamp for each booth they attended. Students were able to bring this home to show their families. At the end of the day, names were drawn for many great prizes donated from local businesses.
This event would not have happened without the great help and dedication of all of our activity leaders who presented and engaged students throughout the day.
Water Passport designed by:
Beth Joy Studio
Funding for this event was provided by:
Columbia Basin Trust
FortisBC
Nelson & District Credit Union
Regional District of Central Kootenay
Prizes for the event provided by:
Kootenay Savings, Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson Whitewater Rafting Co., Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, the Cube, Nelson & District Community Complex, Whitewater Ski Resort