CHATHAM COUNTY4-H & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Under the shade of large trees beside the Rocky River, Chatham third graders gathered to learn about the river, history and preservation during the Tenth annual Rocky River Festival. Over 3,000 third graders have learned about the river over the past 10 years through the efforts of volunteers, Chatham County 4-H and other sponsors.

Third graders from Moncure School, Bonlee School, Bennett School and Chatham Charter School visited stations beside the river during their trip to the two-day festival on April 17. The previous day of the festival had seen over 100 students. "I see a shell!," came a shout from one of the river rocks and "Let's look at this," came from a trail leading up from the river.

Mrs. Cox's class from Bennett School learned from Aaron Honeycutt about beaver, coyote, raccoons and other animals that live in the area. All the students sat enthralled as Honeycutt passed around a large beaver pelt for them to touch. "They enjoy this kind of stuff," said teacher assistant Sherry Kivett.

Along the trails, small signs identified the local plants and trees for students.

At the recycling station, Glennie Beasley quizzed the students about how long certain materials would take to decompose if they weren't recycled. Sandy Stewart, a volunteer with the festival for over five years, led a group of Bennett students around to different stations. He said about the students at the festival, "They have such a fresh outlook on things so it's great to hear what they have to say."

At the clay station, Beth Goldston was showing the students how to roll out clay on boards and create designs with tools. Debra Branson, a teacher assistant at Chatham Charter School, said this was her first year visiting the Rocky River Festival. "This is just so much fun. The children just enjoy this hands-on adventure," said Branson.

Some teachers have been coming to the festival for many years, including Moncure teacher Cindy Springle. Springle watched her students as they learned about crayfish (or crawdads) from Randy Johnson. She said the time by the river was a welcome break from the classroom and the testing that students must endure during the spring. Several of her students had been to the festival last year as third graders and were coming back again as fourth graders as part of her combination class. The older students were telling the younger ones how much fun the festival was, she said. "They'll talk about it without being led in discussion," Springle said about the things students learn at the festival.

A group of students listened as two re-enactors from the House in the Horseshoe talked about what a fully outfitted Revolutionary War soldier needed and how he would carry all his gear. Hearing a group of students talking nearby, festival organizer, Nancy Tanguay, said, "Those are happy kids." Since its formation in 1992, the festival has remained small and true to its vision, she said. "Since then it holds true to our vision of celebrating the river, creating community and educating our children," she said. Thanks to its sponsors, the Rocky River Festival has continued for so long. The Silk Hope Ruritans have helped to sponsor the festival since the beginning, she said. Several years ago, Chatham County 4-H began helping to sponsor the Rocky River Festival. "4-H makes the festival possible," said Tanguay. The organization also sponsors an essay contest after the festival where students write about "What the Rocky River Festival Means to Me." Three students from each school are awarded savings bonds for the top three essays chosen. 4-H agent Vernon McHam said, "We have just really enjoyed being involved and we hope we have helped expand it." "We've tried hard to make it part of their school year," said McHam. Other sponsors included Weaver Street Realty, John McSween, Smith Water Company, Bish Enterprises and American Cyanamid Company.

McHam said teachers call him wanting to know the dates for the festival each year so they can put it on their field trip list. "We'll start Thursday talking about next year," he said.

Another group of third graders left the banks of the Rocky River last week with knowledge of recycling, history, crayfish, the cycles of the river and how they can help preserve a vital piece of the natural world so close to home.

Chatham County 4-H is a United Way Agency through the United Way of Chatham County.

Posted: May 16, 2002 - Updated: November 30, 2005