China schools forest day “huge” success
by Elaine Philbrook
What do Snickles the snake, Henry the Owl, and Smokey Bear all have in common? These are some of the characters you would have encountered on Friday, May 30, during the China Primary School Forest Day.
The first Schools’ Forest Day was in the spring of 2000. On that day about 600 students in grades kindergarten-seventh, plus 60 staff members from the China Schools spent half a learning day outside with 25 different presentations. It was a huge success! After that about every two years a Schools’ Forest Day became part of the China Schools experience. The last Schools’ Forest Day was in 2017. In 2019 plans were in the works for the 10th Schools Forest Day but the pandemic put the brakes on the plans.
Like other events before the pandemic it has taken some time to get things up and running. Earlier this year at the end of a China Forest Committee meeting I asked if there was any interest in providing a mini Forest Day for the students at the China Primary School. One committee member had participated as a student in Schools’ Forest Day. She was very excited to see this event return for the China Primary School’s students. Once the rest of the committee understood what happens on a School Forest Day they were all on board. The China Primary School was contacted to see if there was interest for a School Forest Day. Once confirmed the plan was put into motion to have a School Forest Day for the China Primary School students. After months of planning and organizing, on May 30, Pre-K through fourth grade students all ventured outside for a day of learning and fun in the China Community Forest.
This event was a “HUGE” success according to all who were involved. Students were overheard hearing, “Best day ever” and “I’ll never forget this day.” Teachers and volunteers were all smiles even though they were quite exhausted!
Many thanks to everyone who supported this day in the China Community Forest. Thanks to the teachers and staff at the China Primary School who did not hesitate to trust us with their students outside for the day, all the classroom volunteers who gave of their time providing those much needed extra adults in the classrooms on this special day, the presenters who gave their time, expertise and shared their love of the out of doors with our young students.
Thank you to the PTO, RSU #18 Central office, School board, China Select Board, TIF Committee and Town Manager for ongoing support and partnerships with the China Community Forest and the opportunities it offers to our amazing community.
This day would not have been possible without the dedicated commitment of Beth Swahn, Larry Lemieux, Nancy Lemieux, Jess Parlin, Susan Cottle, Peter Moulton, Robert Kanzler, Donna Loveland and myself, Elaine Philbrook, a/k/a China Community Forest Committee.
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Spectrum Generations, Central Maine’s Area Agency on Aging, provides community- based services through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III, parts B, C, E, and D. Spectrum Generations serves Kennebec, Somerset, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc Counties as well as the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell. The mission of Spectrum Generations is to promote and advance the well-being and independence of older and disabled adults, with the support of their care partners, to live in their community of choice.