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Youth education programs take flight at Rotary Gardens

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

After hearing a story about ducks, Artie and Mary Anderson watch geese on on of the ponds around Rotary Gardens. The Andersons were taking part in a free, hour long, story and stroll presentation designed to teach about and expose children to the natural world.

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

After reading them a story and discussing birds indoors, Rotary Gardens volunteer Mary Berve leads a group of children on a birdwatching and nature watching trip through the Gardens. The story and stroll hour is free and open to the public.

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Michael R. Maddox

JANESVILLE — Within minutes of stepping outside the Education Room at Rotary Gardens, the small group experienced a bird sighting.

“Do you see the robin?” asked volunteer docent Mary Berve, leading people past birdhouses hanging throughout the Nancy Yahr Memorial Garden.

“I do,” said Artie Anderson, 3, Janesville.

“Look straight ahead,” Berve said. “Can you see the geese peeking through the fence? Let’s sneak up on them.”

Soon after, a nearby cardinal caught the attention of Dale Schwanke of Janesville. Schwanke took part in the nature program with his 4-year-old grandson, Brice Schwanke.

“There he goes,” Dale said, as the beautiful red songbird flew away.

Before heading back inside, the group saw nearly a half-dozen birds and other wildlife.

Just another day in the life of the gardens’ Story and Stroll program.

Designed to give kids a chance to reconnect with nature, the hour-long program is offered the first and third Wednesdays of the month through December. Tours start at 10 a.m. and include a story, activity and snack.

Rotary Gardens hosts a variety of structured programs at both the gardens and in area elementary schools. This year, it has restructured many of its offerings to accommodate school curriculum changes, to incorporate nutritional education and to expand the range of grades that participate, said Mike Maddox, director of education.

Adults who brought preschoolers to Wednesday’s Story and Stroll event praised the program.

“It teaches children about nature,” said Amanda Burg of Janesville, who brought sons Joshua, 3, and David, 2.

Dale Schwanke called it “an opportunity to get kids outside to appreciate nature and enjoy the beauty of the big outdoors.”

Robin Anderson of Janesville said Story and Stroll “reinforces that there’s more to see than in our own backyards,” and also lets preschoolers socialize with others their age.

Mostly, Anderson likes how the program teaches children the importance of nutrition. Wednesday’s program provided facts about the nutritional power of sunflower seeds, not to mention samples.

“These seeds have enough energy to grow a whole plant,” said UW Extension educator Julie Gibes. “So think how much energy you can get from eating them.”

Maddox summed up the importance of youth education at the gardens by stressing the interaction between child and nature.

“It’s an opportunity for science to be taught or (to) experience art, social skills and just getting out and having exercise,” he said.

“Kids stay indoors too much. Rotary Gardens can be a location for them to come experience Mother Nature.’’