EATON, Ohio — More than 160 children from Ohio and Indiana in grades 2-5 attended the sixth annual Preble County (Ohio) Conservation Day Camp last month.

The three-day camp runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day and focuses strictly on conservation with topics such as archery, stream monitoring, team building, forestry, crafts, soils, fishing, pollinators, nature hikes, vermiculture, candle making, tree identification, creeking, tie dye, wagon rides and more.

The annual event takes place on the grounds of the Preble County Historical Society.

“While the topic is conservation the focus for the kids is using the land and leaving it just as you found it,” said B.J. Price, District Administrator and Technician for the Preble County Soil & Water  Conservation District (PCSWCD) “It’s not conservation in the sense of putting crops on a field and taking care of it. It’s much more than that and that’s the purpose of this annual event.”

Each day the students were divided into six groups. Every 25 minutes a bell rang, sending each group and their group leader to a different learning station.

“That’s three full days of outdoor exploration, environmental education, and a lot of fun,” said Kate Camden, PSWCD Outreach Coordinator. “The students get to experience all of the fun the outdoors has to provide, while learning about natural resources conservation and so much more. They are able to learn about current environmental issues and how they can help, to problem solve cooperatively in a large group, and to make friendships with students from other schools.”

Each group is led around the grounds by high school and college students, who are able to receive credit hours for their assistance.

Shelby County, just about 40 miles to the north, held its three-day conservation camp for grades 2-5 with the “Space Camp” theme. This camp included the basics of fishing and archery, learning about the sounds of space and moon phases, and visiting a mobile planetarium.

The Darke County Soil & Water Conservation District held its Conservation Day Camp in June as well. This camp was for grades 1-4. This two-day camp was held at Chenoweth Trails from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.