Our first official program in the new library addition was a celebration of Earth Day & a call for kids & adults to enjoy the great outdoors in Kansas.

This O.K. Kids (Outdoor Kansas Kids) program was sponsored in part by Kansas Wildscape.

Participants learned about the Wildlifer Program, a free program where kids & adults can choose challenges- like climbing a tree, bird watching, star gazing, & taking a hike. Prizes are given for all who complete 15 of the 20 challenges. Details can be found at the website: Kansaswildlifer.com

We read the classic story: The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, & then learned about what IS Recyclable & what is NOT recyclable in Macksville (NO PLASTIC BAGS or styrofoam in the brown bins, PLEASE!).

Afterwards, we practiced what we learned by sorting items into four boxes: Recycle, Reuse, Trash, & Store Drop Off. The kids were very creative when suggesting ways to reuse items.

Have a sock with a hole in it? This young man came up with an obvious solution– Get a needle & thread, & fix the hole!  Other ideas were to use it for a sock puppet, or a cleaning rag.

Then, it was time to get outside on a very chilly morning!

One group went out front & planted marigold seeds on both sides of the ramp.

And, another group used lots of muscles to help carry & install edging blocks & distribute rocks on the north side of the new addition.

We had a little target practice with recycled paper to determine the order in which kids chose their snacks & prizes.

And then everyone got to pick four flowers to take home to plant!

Thank you, to all 24 attendees! Your community service is helping make our little corner of the world a more beautiful place!

And, Thanks to Kansas Wildscape for helping sponsor this program.

(My kids were Wildlifers, long ago, & I’m a little jealous that today’s parents can now join the fun!)

As Chief Seattle has been quoted: “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.”

Let’s take care of our world– and get out there & enjoy it!