Outdoor EdVenture coordinator Kate Palmer, with students Jacob Beaulieu, Paris Reed, Madison Thouin, Emily Cortis, and Phoenix Durkee. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – “Critters big and small” is the theme for this year’s service project at the Outdoor EdVenture program at Westfield Middle School, where seventh and eighth graders are busy collecting pet supplies and monetary donations for the Westfield Animal Shelter.
Outdoor EdVenture coordinator and eighth grade science teacher Kate Palmer said they reached out to the Westfield Animal Shelter, who thought it was a great idea, and were interested in working with the kids. Palmer also said the regional shelter shares resources with the other shelters in the area, so nothing is wasted.
“Animals at the shelter are less fit than the ones in the house, and it’s a good deal for the workers,” said eighth grader Jacob Beaulieu, one of a group of students who spoke about the project on Thursday. The group said their goal is healthy, safe pets, and a commitment to saving lives.
Asked if they have pets, all of students in this group raised their hands. Jacob has a guinea pig. Eighth grader Paris Reed said she has five chickens, a dog and cat, and her classmate Madison Thouin has a dog, cat and a fish. Seventh grader Emily Cortis has four cats and two dogs, and her classmate Phoenix Durkee has three cats and a rabbit.
For the project, in which all of the Outdoor EdVenture students participate, they made flyers and decorated change jars and collection boxes. Students also developed the list of pet supplies to collect, including food for all animals, treats, toys, bedding, collars and leashes.
They started by collecting donations at the Pancake Breakfast the first week of the program. “The kids got into it,” Palmer said. They then teamed up and asked local businesses to take donations. Boxes and jars were delivered to The Westfield Groomer, Polish National Credit Union, The Arbor’s, Rocky’s Hardware, The Westfield Athenaeum, and Easthampton Savings Bank. Donations are also being collected at WMS.
Outdoor EdVenture is also holding a fundraiser at Amelia Park Skating Rink on Thurs. July 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. Admission is a monetary donation or pet supply item (there is a $3 charge for skate rentals), with 100% of donations going to the Westfield Animal Shelter. “It’s another way for the community to help,” Palmer said.
The student-designed flyer for the event reads: “Grab your family and friends and join us for some fun as we skate our way towards helping our local animals.”
The drive ends on Aug. 1, when students will collect the donations at area business. Then on Aug. 2, the last day of the program, the Westfield Animal Shelter will come to the school, meet the students and pick up the donations.
Palmer said the WMS Outdoor EdVenture program, which is free and open to all students entering seventh and eighth grade, runs for four weeks, Mondays through Thursdays, July 9 to Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Outdoor EdVenture Coordinator Kate Palmer with a pet supply donation box decorated by students. (Photo by Amy Porter)
This is Palmer’s fourth year running Outdoor EdVenture, which has grown from 20 kids the first year, to 60 this year with 25 in the Special Education inclusion program; for an overall total of 85. The camp is staffed by Palmer, an adjustment counselor and five teachers.
“We haven’t turned anyone away. We have a full roster,” Palmer said. She said the program is funded through Westfield Public Schools, which also runs camps for first through sixth grade at Highland Elementary, and a first-time program at Westfield Technical Academy for entering ninth graders. Palmer said they also receive funding from CLASP, the Connected Learning and Afterschool Summer Partnership, and lunch is provided by the Boys & Girls Club.
Palmer said they chose this year’s theme of Critters big and small while planning for the camp. “We’re a service learning program. One of the criteria is involvement with the community,” Palmer said.
Besides helping in the community, Outdoor EdVenture also offers team-building games, and is working on preventing summer slide with reading activities.
In addition, students go on field trips. On Thursday half of the kids went fishing at Chicopee State Park with Jim Lagacy, who provides all the poles and equipment. “They have a great time,” Palmer said. The other half will go next Tuesday.
They also went canoeing, kayaking and swimming at Camp Moses, and Mass Audubon will be coming to the camp at the end of July to explore the Little River behind the school, and walking through the woods next to it.
Because of the redistricting, Palmer said programs like Outdoor EdVenture are more important than ever. “The kids get to know each other ahead of time; they have that social interaction. They will have the advantage of having built those relationships, especially those from North Middle School. This is a new building for them,” she said.
The coming school year will be Palmer’s fifth at WMS, where she also did her student teaching. “I love it here,” she said.
