Camp Prairie Creek

Muncie Delaware County Stormwater Management and Prairie Creek Reservoir created and hosted the first annual Camp Prairie Creek this summer the first week of August.  Camp Prairie Creek, a free youth environmental day camp, had 40 youth participants this summer ranging from ages 6 years old to 13 years old. 

>> See the Camp Prairie Creek Photo Gallery!

The birth of Camp Prairie Creek came from the idea that local youth needed more accessible water recreational opportunities since the City's only public pool would be closed this year due to financial restraints. Stormwater Management and Prairie Creek Reservoir also felt called to educate local youth about water related issues and outdoor recreational saftey while maintaining a strong emphasis on preserving our environment. It also came from the thought that more people needed to experience and enjoy the opportunities that Prairie Creek Reservoir had to offer and encourage families from the local area to utilize one of Muncie's most cherished parks.

Many activities and lessons taught at camp were derived from the Project WET curriculum, which had a lot of emphasis on water quality, pollution prevention and the water cycle.  Other activities included education about recycling, conservation, vermi-composting (worm composting), trees, fish and wildlife, macroinvertebrates, mapping and outdoor recreational saftey.  A tree was planted at the site of the first annual Camp Prairie Creek, near the lodge were many activities took place.

The long week of fun and education was capped by a family fun day cookout the last day which included games, pontoon boat rides around the reservoir, swimming and fishing.  Parents were invited to attend and hang out with their campers all day and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.  Parents and family of campers were also given a free weekly beach pass to enjoy the beach at Prairie Creek Reservoir all week while their kids were at camp.

On the final family fun day each camper was awarded with a Delaware County Youth Environmental Stewardship Certificate for their participation and new found interest in helping to preserve the environment in all that they do.

Our goals of educating local youth about environmental stewardship were accomplished by partnering with many local agencies and organizations that included Muncie Sanitary District, The Bureau of Water Quality, Minnetrista Theatre Preserves, Soil and Water Conservation District, The Red Tail Nature Conservancy, Muncie Urban Forestry, Delaware County GIS Department, Dr. I C Coldwater from Ft. Wayne, East Central Solid Waste District, DNR and Second Harvest Food Bank.  By partnering with these organizations we were able to keep the camp low cost and provide a full agenda of educational opportunities all week for the kids to stay busy and learn about the environment.  Many thanks goes out to all our sponsors, partners, volunteers and counselors who helped make this Camp a success.

We are pleased to announce that Camp Prairie Creek won the Clyde W. Hibbs Conservation Education Award from the Robert Cooper Audubon Society for it's creative strategies for engaging children with nature and teaching them principles of sustainable living.

Stay tuned for upcoming information on next years Camp Prairie Creek and if you have any questions regarding Camp Prairie Creek please feel free to contact Stormwater Educator Jason Donati at jdonati@co.delaware.in.us or 765-747-2660.