TAZEWELL, Va. (WVVA) -Summer is often a time when kids forgo education for fun in the sun. However, in Tazewell County, a camp is letting kids have fun, while getting a lesson in environmental science and the world around them.

Brought to life by the Tazewell Soil & Water Conservation District, the “Creek Critter Camp” was created with the goal of giving kids something over summer break that combines fun and learning, to keep their minds engaged outside of the classroom. Now on its fifth year, the camp is continuing to just that, with an organizer saying this helps to plant the seed of education that will grow in the upcoming school year.

“…And we can just dance in the stream with a net and come up with thousands of bugs and critters that we didn’t even know existed until today. And so, when they go to class and they start talking about the crayfish, and the stoneflies, and so forth, they can revert back to the Creek Critter Camp and how we showed them things out in nature that they might have missed,” says Elizabeth Bennett, District Manager for the Tazewell Soil & Water Conservation District.

Bennett says the lessons learned here keep kids and their parents engaged, and fun to be had as well, with the chance to get up close and personal with the flora and fauna to be found in their backyard. We spoke to one repeat camper who wanted to enjoy some fishing and share that interest with others.

“I think they just learn a bunch of stuff… helps them learn the importance of… all this… like, the snakes, the fishing, the… I mean, just anything else that’s here,” says Drew Stacy.

This year eleven agencies and organizations set up here to educate on a variety of topics, from biology to erosion. We spoke to one who says that the lessons learned here have the potential to help not just the kids, but the world around them, with campers learning important lessons on protecting the environment.

“We actually have five different water systems that leave Tazewell County…” explains John Blankenship, agriculture and natural resources extension agent, Tazewell County, “…There’s very, very little, hardly a single stream flows back into the county, so it’s important that the kids in Tazewell County know that they need to protect their water resources because what we do here has an effect on many, many other people downstream.”

Those we spoke to encourage you to come join them at Dunford Park for Creek Critter Camp next year, with Bennett saying not to miss this unique local opportunity.

Bennett is also inviting other agencies to be a part of this educational experience or others that they have planned. You can call 276-979-4190 to get in contact with Tazewell Soil & Water Conservation District or you can stop by their office.

She also encourages families to join them at the Tazewell County Fair in August, promising “something exciting.”

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