Discovering what swims beneath
Dozens of children investigate nature during the Pond Exploration Program
What’s in a pond? After a recent three-hour nature session at Oak Ridge Prairie, dozens of children can intelligently answer that question at length.
Participants spent the morning wading in the park’s large pond, with nets at the ready, as they took part in the Pond Exploration Program.
“Kids love bugs and water, so (this activity) was a good fit,” said Lake County Parks environmental manager Caryn Corriere, who led the early morning event. “And they’ll find out you can find more than fish and frogs in a pond.”
Indeed, various insects and small crawling things — some never seen before by the participants — were uncovered as the youngsters went into the water with their colorful nets.
Crown Point mom Heather Down watched as her children Logan, 7, and Melody, 4, excitedly started their unique venture.
“The kids are having a chance to play in the water in a different kind of way,” she said as they donned rubber boots. “They’re having a lot of fun while keeping cool on this very humid day.”
The air temperature was about 90 degrees.
“I always see only toads and flies in the pond near my house,” said Jeremy Kingsley, 10, of Hobart. “We’ve already found some little things that look funny — like white, small worms and teeny, tiny shrimps.”
The latter was identified by Corriere as a scud — a white miniature pond resident that resembled a shrimp.
Highland mom Heather Starene knew the importance of getting children outdoors, especially when school is out for the summer.
She belongs to a church group of 20 families that take their children to a different park each Thursday to join in various activities.
“There’s so much to do with the little ones,” she said. “You just have to look around to see what’s offered.”
In addition to digging at the bottom of the pond, participants tested the water temperature and also put some of their finds under a microscope brought by Corriere.
“I can’t wait to see what I got,” Leonardo Lemon, 11, of Hobart, said as he peered into his net. “These things are very, very little and I can’t really see them clearly.”
This is the first year of the Pond Exploration Program at a Lake County park.
“Since we’ve had such a great turnout today, we may offer it again next year,” Corriere said. “Everyone is having such a great time.”
Parks volunteer Barb Pakan, who was assisting Corriere, agreed that the program would be a welcome addition to the summer activities next year.
“Everyone wants to learn about the ecosystem and this (checking into a pond) is a perfect way to do this,” she said.
“The kids are learning new things in a fun way.”
Many summer programs are held in all locations of the Lake County parks during the year. For more information, call (219) 7697275.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.