Friday marked the last day of slipping, slopping, slapping, seeking and sliding for Shelby youth. From June 16-20, youth were able to participate in the second annual Shelby Shares Science day-camp and they gathered in Seltzer Park to learn about nature, wildlife and solar energy.
This year’s camp theme was Solar Energy, hence the Five Ways to be Sunsmart by the Cancer Council (Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide). The camp is hosted by non-profit Shelby Green Committee. The organization started in 2008 and is mostly comprised of local science teachers.
“The camp is a good way to get kids outdoors to learn and explore. They really enjoy it,” said President of Shelby Green Committee Nichole Witchey. “One of their favorite things to do is get in the water, which they’re able to do thanks to the pond and creek that runs through [Seltzer Park],” she added.
For two-and-a-half hours from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the group of 35 children broke into categorical groups. On Friday, there were three groups: water life, wildlife, and solar energy. Each group was led by an adult with professional backgrounds in the sciences.
Witchey is also a science teacher through an online school called Electronics Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT). She is able to teach middle school and high school aged youth from her house in Shelby. ECOT touts over 16,000 students from across Ohio. Witchey led the water group, where youth learned how to collect data from a stream using different tools and methods.
Also at this week’s Shelby Shares Science day-camp was Rudy Studd, a science teacher from Medina. Director of German Nature Center in Lexington Jason Larson brought different wildlife from Richland County for the youth to learn about.
On Friday, Larson brought different species of snakes. The youths were able to hold the snakes while Larson disseminated specific information.
An Ohio State University Education student participated during the week as well. Colby Dunn spent time with the Solar Energy group, which was led by Studd. On Friday, the group was presented with solar powered toy cars by Solar Rover.
“I think it’s great that the kids have this sort of thing. One of my nephews thought he would hate it, but ended up loving it,” shared Dunn.
Most of the learning happened at Shelby’s Seltzer Park near the pond, but the group traveled to a wetlands location on Wednesday to learn about ecological significance and wetland wildlife.
To learn more about the Shelby Green Committee, visit their Facebook page or call 419-571-2885.
