This week, we worked with the SPREE force to help Chompers and his friends clean up the river and help protect the planet. We explored the river and the land surrounding it to find critters, big and small. With the help of teamwork and our SPREE force special agents, we came together to learn about the environment and how to help it. Here is a recap of our first week at SPREE camp this summer!
On Monday, we focused on pollution and how we can help prevent the spread of pollution around us. Campers brainstormed ideas on how we can prevent trash from getting into the South Platte River. Many ideas were shared, such as increasing funding for storm drains to add a filter that catches the trash before it enters the river. Campers learned about the great flood that happened in 1965 and how many parks are made out of hills filled with trash!
Tuesday was focused on learning about animals of the South Platte River and the SPREE force! We learned about beaver adaptations through a dress up, crafted some crawdads, and more! We also learned that in the 1940s, beavers were parachuted into new areas to repopulate and reconstruct wetland ecosystems! (This inspired our SPREE camp t-shirt design this year!)
On Wednesday, campers learned about other factors that cause pollution such as people leaving their dogs’ scat behind. To do this, campers used recycled material to make doggy bag holders with material that can be found around the house. They also learned about the trash monster and what we can do to prevent trash from spreading around. And, we had a super cool guest come- a vac truck that cleans out storm drains! We each got to use the big hose to vacuum up some trash and we got sprayed with the giant hose!
On Thursday, we zoomed in on water quality and quantity. What makes a healthy river? Is The South Platte healthy? How can we tell? How can we help? We conducted scientific tests, made DIY water filters, and discussed how many people of Denver rely on and impact the SPR! We ended the day with a whole group critter crawl, catching crawdads and snails.
We closed the week down on Friday with Field Day and Graduation. We went down to Vanderbilt Park to play all kinds of activities like disguise relay, steal the object, and squirt gun race. Once we came back, we then celebrated all the campers’ great work this week by ending with Graduation, where everyone learned what Spree Force member they are most alike to! We ended the day by having another whole group critter crawl and got to find more of Chompers’ friends, like leeches and crawdads. All the campers had so much fun having an action-packed day.
The first week of camp was a blast. Campers had so much fun learning about how the Spree Force and their friends play a vital role in the cleanliness and health of the South Plate River ecosystem. Our special agents gained a new perspective on the nature surrounding Colorado!
GLC Takes Aim at Adventure: Archery, Wildlife & Weather at Barr Lake