InDepth BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
Encouraging outdoor TURES ADVEN
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
PHOTOS COURTESY ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Missouri Environmental Education Association is adding to the food distribution services of Operations Food Search by providing families 6,300 outdoor learning kits
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Volunteers with the Missouri Environmental Education Association assemble outdoor learning kits to be distributed along with meals with the distribution services of Operations Food Search and St. Louis County Libraries. 18 | OUR TOWN | AUGUST 2020
The Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA) along with community partners, have developed an additional opportunity for families to venture outdoors. Previously scheduled to begin July 13, MEEA is adding to the food distribution services of Operations Food Search (OFS) and St. Louis County Libraries by providing 6,300 outdoor learning kits, on a first come first serve basis, at 10 libraries this summer. Traci Jansen, a teacher at W. W. Keysor Elementary in the Kirkwood School District states that the pilot program originated due to OFS’ increased involvement with families due to COVID-19. There are three separate themes for the kits. The first kit that was scheduled for distribution July 13, was the Food and Pollinators kit. Jansen who has also used various components of the kits with her students this past school semester, stated the kit provides education of healthy food options to pair with what families receive from Operation Food Search. The kit will also help participants identify the food that comes from pollinators and the variety of pollinators in the St. Louis region, such as honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds. “In the kits are informational pamphlets that talk about the perks, benefits and how awesome are our insects and pollinators,” stated Jansen. She went on to explain that recipients of the food and pollinator kit will include activities to make headbands and masks, read a book, and participate in search and observation for the pollinators. The next kit scheduled for July distribution is the Observing and Nature journaling kit which will educate participants by way of observing the greenspace they explore and how the things connected to it are associated with that space. Participants will record what changes within that space over time. Jansen stated that the Outdoor Play kit, set for distribution in August, will include activities for search-and-find – hiking and scavenger hunts – incorporating components of the two previous kits.
