Questions & Answers
Q. What is a Children’s Water Festival?
A. With the initial festival held in 1994, Children’s Water Festivals teach children about the importance of water through educational and fun activity centres. With Water Festival programming expanding into many communities all over Ontario, the Children’s Water Education Council (CWEC) was formed in 2001 to assist with the development of Children’s Water Festivals across the Province.
Q. What is the Halton Children’s Water Festival?
A. The Halton Children’s Water Festival is presented by Conservation Halton and Halton Region, in partnership with the Halton Catholic District School Board, the Halton District School Board, the City of Burlington, the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville. The Festival provides students in grades 2 - 5 with the opportunity to learn about the importance of ground and surface water.
Q. When is the Halton Children’s Water Festival?
A. The 2010 Halton Children’s Water Festival will take place from Tuesday, September 28 - Friday, October 1 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Kelso Conservation Area, 5255 Kelso Road, RR 3 in Milton.
Q. Who can attend?
A. The Festival welcomes students in grades two to five, including the two/three, three/four and four/five combined classes from the Halton Catholic District School Board, the Halton District School Board and Halton’s private elementary schools.
Q. What about students with disabilities?
A. The Festival welcomes all students and is accessible for people with disabilities. To make the necessary arrangements, please contact Elizabeth Wren Festival and Volunteer Coordinator at 905-336-1158, ext. 284.
Q. What are the learning outcomes for students?
A. The festival focuses on 4 main themes which are incorporated into 58 interactive displays. The displays educate children on a wide variety of water related issues. The 4 themes are:
- Water Science and Technology
Students will learn about the water cycle, the physical science of ground and surface water, the treatment and distribution systems and the interactions between water and technology in their daily lives. - Water Conservation and Protection
Students will investigate how human activity can impact water. They will learn how to conserve, protect and manage water at home, at school and in the community. - Water Health and Safety
Students will learn about the role of water in human health, and safety around water. - Water and Society
Students will learn about the history of water, the relationship between people and the uses of water, and how to become stewards of water in their local and global community.
Q. How much is the cost for students?
A. The Festival is $4 per student and is free of charge for adult chaperones, teachers and volunteers. This includes transportation to and from the Festival.
Q. How do you sign up to attend the Festival?
A. Teachers can register on-line or by calling Elizabeth Wren Festival and Volunteer Coordinator at 905-336-1158, ext. 284.
Q. Can I volunteer at the Festival?
A. Yes. This is a community event and the success of the Festival depends on the community coming together to teach children about the importance of this natural resource. The Festival is a perfect opportunity to gain experience with community outreach, public speaking, teaching and time management. The Festival depends on 150 volunteers each day and all volunteers will be recognized for their efforts. To sign up, contact Kathy McAlpine Sims, Water Efficiency Coordinator, Halton Region at 905-825-6000 ext 7337 or by e-mail at Kathy.McAlpine-Sims@halton.ca.
Q. My organization does not have the time to volunteer. Is there another way we can contribute to this event?
A. The Festival is made possible through generous in-kind and monetary contributions from Halton’s community which will go directly towards educating children about our most valuable resource-water. The festival includes five levels of sponsorship:
- Watershed Level Sponsor ($10,000 +)
- Lake Level Sponsor ($5,000 - $9,999)
- River Level Sponsor ($1,000 - $4,999)
- Steam Level Sponsor ($500 - $999)
- Wetlands Level Sponsor ($100 - $499)
Find out more details on the sponsorship levels, or call Elizabeth Wren Festival and Volunteer Coordinator at 905-336-1158, ext. 284.
For more information, please contact:
Hassaan Basit
Director, Communications Services
Conservation
Halton
905-336-1158 , ext.270
Liz Netto
Communications Specialist
Halton Region
905-825-6000, ext. 7585
Toll free: 1-866-4HALTON
