Published on:
14
August 2012
John Muir Award Week concluded last week after an excellent event run by the Council's Ranger Service, which saw youngsters explore the fabulous woodland around Clackmannanshire.
Children aged between eight and 12 took part in John Muir Week from 31st July until 3rd August daily at Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre , Sauchie between 10.30am-3.30pm.
Enterprise and Environment Convenor, Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Clackmannanshire to explore and find out more about the place they live, it also gives them the chance to learn more about the environment and how they can play their part not just now, but in later life. The Ranger Service should be commended for the work they have done all week in making John Muir Week such an outstanding success."
The adventure began on Day One when the group were set the challenge of discovering who John Muir was and why he was so important to the conservation and preservation of wild places across the world.
Following the brief introduction about John Muir and Clackmannanshire Ranger Service, the group became Clackmannanshire's young explorers.
They set off early from the Visitor Centre with the group exploring the woodlands surrounding Gartmorn Dam, using Indian tracking methods to find the secret location of the "Base Camp".
Once at base camp, the group were set a challenge of discovering what species lived in the surrounding area and in what way humans can protect them.
When they left base camp the group laid tracks to ensure they found their way back in the morning.
On the second day the challenge centred on the conservation efforts of the JMT and Ranger Services across the world. Once again the group followed tracks to base camp where the group learned about the small changes they could make to their own environment that will e benefit the world. The group were set two conservation challenges, which included cleaning up the woodland paths, thinning out of non native species or constructing and hanging bird boxes.
On Thursday, 2nd August the focus switched on the water and rivers of Gartmorn Dam. The group enjoyed a summer colour walk, where they looked for evidence of Otters and kingfishers. After lunch the group returned to the Dam when they skimmed the waters for pond creatures before heading home for the day. The group will selected stones to paint and decorate, before taking part in a stone skimming contest.
On the final day, Friday, 3rd August the group constructed a shelter from materials found only in the woodland area surrounding Base Camp.
The shelter had to withstand rain, winds and wild animals. In the afternoon of this final day the group shared the adventure and the experience withl friends and family, by inviting them to a tribal gathering.
The newly formed tribe cooked bread on a campfire, roasted marshmallows, played some woodland adventure games, and taught others the activities learned earlier in the week.
When the gathering came to an end, each group member was presented with an internationally recognised John Muir Award.