H-CSWCD Education

Hanover-Caroline SWCD offers many educational programs, which target a variety of audiences. The District also has a variety of resources available for teachers to borrow and use for classes. Scripts on how to utilize these resources are also available. Click here for descriptions.

For more information or questions on any of these educational opportunities, contact Rebecca Jones, Education Coordinator.

Elementary School students:

AG Day: This annual program is for Hanover County 3rd graders. It is

a hands-on educational field day where students are exposed to the

importance and role of conservation in agriculture.

Middle School students:

Meaningful Watershed Experience: Beginning in 2005, schools must provide a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every student in the watershed before graduation from high school. The District can assist teachers and students alike with opportunities to develop and participate in local restoration and protection projects, including efforts on school property. This may include but is not limited to developing outdoor classrooms or nature trails that can enhance the learning experience about watersheds.

Currently, the District is working with Hanover & Caroline County middle school teachers and the VA Department of Environmental Quality to develop a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience curriculum for Hanover & Caroline Counties, along with a permanent field trip site at the new State Fairgrounds at Meadow Event Park. Our goal is that this opportunity will eventually spread to schools regionally and state-wide.

Hanover County sixth grade students will be coming to Meadow Event Park April 13-14 and April 19-20, 2010 for a MWEE field trip!

High School students:

Scholarships: H-C SWCD annually offers scholarships for college bound environmental science, agriculture and horticulture students. The Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts also offers scholarships each year. Scholarship information is sent at the beginning of each year to school guidance counselors.
2010 H-C SWCD Scholarship Application
2010 VASWCD Scholarship Application
*DUE DATES FOR BOTH APPLICATIONS: MARCH 2, 2010*

Camp ALIVE: This is a new conservation oriented week-long camp, sponsored by Peter Francisco SWCD. H-C SWCD will sponsor selected interested students from Hanover & Caroline counties.

Youth Conservation Camp: Each year, the District sponsors up to four high school students from Hanover and/or Caroline counties to attend Conservation Summer Camp at Virginia Tech, which is hosted by the Virginia Association of SWCD. Check the VASWCD website for more information on Camp. 2010 dates are July 18-24. Download application due April 1

Forestry Conservation Camp: The Department of Forestry holds a camp students age 13-16 at Holiday Lake near Appomattox each year. The District sponsors up to four students to attend. 2010 dates are June 14-19. More information and nomination forms can be found at the VA Department of Forestry website.

Envirothon: The Envirothon is a high school competition nationally sponsored by Canon. The District holds a local competition in the spring, and the winning team advances to the Area III competition, with a chance to advance to the state and national Envirothon. Teachers interested in coaching a team should contact Rebecca for a Coach's Handbook and available resources. A good overview brochure with 2010 dates can be found here.

For more information about Envirothon visit:

VASWCD

Canon Envirothon

Other Programs:

Boy Scout Jamboree: This National program is held every 4 years at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County. The District provides the Soil & Water Conservation Merit Badge. The 2010 Jamboree marks 100 years of Scouting and the final year the event will be held at Fort A.P. Hill.

Wildlife Boxes: The District offers a variety of wildlife boxes for sale. Call first for availability, then mail in an order form.

Rain Barrels: In 2008, the District offered its first rain barrel workshop. So many home owners wanted to take advantage of this water saving technique, that we've held several more barrel pick-up days and distributed approximately 350 rain barrels. We will host a sale in 2010 on March 3. Place your order online by February 23. If you are able to find your own barrel, see these simple instructions to construct your own rain barrel!

Back to the Farm Workshops: A series of workshops, new in 2009, that will target individuals wanting to learn more about farming, perhaps to start their own small operation. Workshops will be offered periodically throughout the year.
May 2010 Workshop- Beekeeping - Details coming soon

Field Days: Agricultural Field Days offer producers an opportunity to learn about new conservation and production techniques.