Rivers, Litter and Puppets

Homeschoolers Organize Effort to Keep Water Clean

By Mike Shands



Cindy and Lee J. Ball and their son, Spencer, show off some of the litter they found in just 30 seconds during a recent cleanup of the New River. Photo by Mike Shands.

Several local homeschool families have developed a creative way to interest children in keeping rivers and streams clean. They are using puppets to help convey the importance of clean water
.
Friends School, a local cooperative homeschool group, is planning a variety of events this summer to involve all area children in an effort to pick up litter from local water sources.

“We kind of decided that for the summer we wanted to do a project rather than just kind of meet and do our lessons that we like to do,” said Cindy Ball, a Friends School parent and representative.

The schedule of events begins Monday, July 11 with a fun learning session at the Watauga County Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. The free session is open to all ages, but will be targeted toward children.

Wendy Patoprsty, a watershed education agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, will lead part of the session.