Since 2003, over 1,500 children elementary and middle school children have taken part in a unique learning experience offered by the Friends known as Slow-the-Flow PlayDays.  Held at area summer camps and local recreation associations, PlayDays are a ½ day workshop where attendees participate in several “hands-on” activities dealing with water quality issues & watershed education.

Varied activities that are FUN help get the message across of how fragile our watershed is. PlayDays accomplish this by offering activities like:

• Common Water – children learn about local history as they engage in an activity that trace water usage over time, and the effects of that use on lake water quality.

• Watershed Model and shrub planting – why “buffers” are important to help stop erosion.

• The ‘OTTER’ – overview of testing and water sampling procedures.

• T-Shirt station – all participants get to make and keep their own T-Shirt with an environmentally-friendly reminder message.

“Slow the Flow PlayDays” are geared for children 12 years of age and younger, and are offered to all camps, recreation associations or other organized groups located within the Cobbossee Watershed at no cost!  Please contact the Friend’s Education Director, Tamara Whitmore, at 621-4100 or Contact Tamara

Sponsored by DR Struck Landscape Nursery, Smart Eyecare, Augusta Orthodontics , and Lipman, Katz & McKee, PlayDay activity stations are staffed by the Friends along with Maine DEP staff, with assistance provided by participating camp and recreation department counselors.

An ideal opportunity for volunteers who love working with kids, PlayDay lasts only 3-4 hours each and we can always use help. If you would like to volunteer, please Contact Tamara .