JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Mother Nature welcomed Earth Day April 22 with a pleasant temperature and sun-filled blue sky while two groups of children from the Cody Child Development Center on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall enjoyed a day filled with educational and fun activities in tribute to our planet on its special day.
Eighteen children, ages 3 and 4, along with their preschool teachers took a field trip to interact with and learn about tadpoles at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. The curious and excited youngsters were dressed for amphibious interaction, many wearing rain boots for the wet activity.
Throughout the CDC, Earth Day-related art filled the walls and activity tables, while teachers kept the kids busy creating special projects with an environmentally-friendly theme.
"Earth Day is about how you have to throw trash away so you don't kill the animals," said Ashton Marshall, 4, while taking a break from a tie-dying art activity.
Another preschool class planted flower, vegetable and fruit seeds. Students also created recyclable art using empty toilet and paper towel rolls and egg cartons.
Department of Public Works Environmental Management Division hosted a shredding event exclusively for the CDC children. Classes also learned about paper shredding. Each youngster disposed of recycled paper, then watched it get shredded from the recycling truck.
During a brief, light rain shower, children in grades one through five from Cody's Child Youth and School Services program participated in an Earth Day-themed cake decorating contest. Some spoke about what Earth Day means.
"On Earth Day, the animals all come out to visit and they play with me - the foxes, reindeer and frogs," exclaimed Avery Black, 6, while helping decorate her team's cake.
After consuming the Earth-friendly edible art, the kids learned about composting and fertilizing soil for flower gardening.
Meanwhile, about 55 students and six adult chaperones from partner Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington visited Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall, to participate in Earth Day activities.
After a safety briefing, the children were divided into three groups, rotating activities at three stations. One activity focused on recycling, reusing and repurposing. Another created planters to the theme "Who Polluted the Potomac?" The last activity involved planting, mulching, raking and sweeping to beautify areas around the Marine Corps Exchange marquee and Marine Club building.
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