Every summer, the Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) hosts weekly education programs for children, highlighting the natural and cultural history of the Downeast Lakes region. Each Tuesday morning from 9:30 – Noon, “Explorations and Adventures” meets at the Grand Lake Stream School Building for exciting, hands-on lessons for ages 6 – 10. For more advanced lessons in the Community Forest, “Serious Skills for Boys & Girls” meets on Thursday mornings for children ages 10 – 16.
On July 5th, 13 eager and excited kids participated in a GLS Scavenger Hunt. Led by DLLT staff and volunteers, children visited several sites in Grand Lake Stream, learning about local history and exploring the natural world. Items to find included insects, different trees, and a geocache. Tasks to complete included skipping stones on West Grand Lake, visiting Brinda at the Pine Tree Store, and rinsing hands in Grand Lake Stream. After completing the extensive lists, they were rewarded with their own summer journal as a take home prize!
On July 7th, the “Serious Skills” group began their summer with a service learning project on campsite construction. Equipped with hand saws, metal rakes, and loppers, six children helped DLLT Staff break ground on two new primitive tent campsites in the Farm Cove Community Forest. Braving the raindrops and mosquitoes, they worked together to clear the two sites and hauled large stones for the future fire pits. They learned about site selection, drainage techniques, and proper tool safety.
These programs are free of charge and open to the public. To view the upcoming topics for each week, click here! For more information or to pre-register, please contact DLLT at (207) 796 – 2100 or email cbrown@downeastlakes.org.