Focus on Earth Day, fun

By Island Palm Communities, U.S. Army Garrison-HawaiiApril 16, 2012

Earth Day
Earth Day Festival participants excavated a pool filled with sand and lost treasures at the Army's Cultural Resources exhibit, April 7, at Schofield Barracks. Through the exercise children learned about archeology and the excavation of historical art... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Thousands of family members converged on Weyand Field for the annual Fun Fest and Earth Day festivals, here, April 7.

The multifaceted festival received promising reviews and featured traditional Easter events, including egg hunts and hands-on Earth Day activities that stressed environmental awareness.

"It's great," said David Gill, who came out with wife Christine and their two children, Trinity and Donovan, to enjoy the free activities. "They're having fun and learning at the same time. It's a win-win."

The Gill family carried a container filled with worms they had dug up at a compost bin organized by students and teachers from Hale Kula Elementary School, here.

Donovan, 4, planned to feed the worms "lettuce and broccoli."

The festivities kicked off with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Enchanted Breakfast, which gave kids an opportunity to meet their favorite storybook characters.

Feeling energized after the hearty breakfast, the Gill family set out to explore dozens of games and activities and seek out scrumptious fair-type food and treats at booths hosted by nearly a dozen units raising funds to support their members and outreach programs.

FMWR's Army Leisure Travel Office hosted a travel fair offering great discounts and travel deals, while young performing artists from DFMWR's School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills Unlimited, or SKIES, provided entertainment.

Another main attraction offered dozens of hands-on activities that emphasized the importance of preserving the environment and conserving natural resources.

The Sgt. Yano Library and IPC co-sponsored the Trash-formation Recycled Art Contest exhibit featuring creativity, wild imaginations and humor. Aspiring artists repurposed materials that would have ended up in the trash to create their masterpieces that conveyed the theme, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."

Col. Douglas Mulbury, commander, USAG-HI, presented winners with a commander's coin; Mark Frey, project director, IPC, handed out medals, certificates and prizes.

The Directorate of Public Works and Island Palm Communities have successfully worked together for several years to host the annual Earth Day Festival; they were again joined by local environmental organizations and businesses.

Food booths, bouncers and rides racked up brisk business while raising funds for various organizations. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, or BOSS, offered cookies and candy bars at its food booth; funds raised will help support programs for single Soldiers, single parents and geographic bachelors.

Annual BOSS initiatives include volunteering for community service in outreach initiatives such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, PT in the Park, and the Sony Open.

Another Earth Day Festival featuring exhibits, activities and live entertainment will be held April 28 at Fort Shafter Flats. This festival is among several activities taking place throughout April to celebrate Earth Month.

So you think you know everything about conservation?

Then don't miss Island Palm Communities' first-ever live game show, "I Got the Power!" April 18 at the Aliamanu Community Center. The winner will be awarded $100.

The first 40 residents who sign up on the day of the event can compete in a physical challenge elimination round. Winners of round one will advance to the next round to test their knowledge of energy conservation and U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii's utility program.

The top two winners will then compete in the final round to win $100. All contestants will receive a complimentary gift

The "I Got the Power!" live game show is one of several activities taking place throughout Earth Month, made possible by USAG-HI and IPC.

Related Links:

Earth Day Photos

IPC Earth Month