Kids learn, have fun at Dirt Diggers

For two weeks during June, the Lake Cornelia shelter house, woods and shore had a group of excited elementary-aged visitors. They were the Dirt Diggers campers—kids who under the leadership of Raejean Chapman and Wright County Conservation got a chance to not only enjoy nature, but experience it up close and get excited about learning more.

The idea for Dirt Diggers grew out of a love for the outdoors and exploring Chapman shared with her children. Throughout the year, they collect interesting nature-related items to show at a discovery table during camp, with items like snakeskins and unique rocks. The goal, she said, is “getting kids to love wild places and their backyards.”

This was the fourth year Chapman has run Dirt Diggers, which is divided up into two three-day camps—one for kindergarteners through third grade, and one for third through fifth grades. Past camps have been themed around migrations, ecosystems, and riparian zones in lakes. This year, the groups focused on local critters, including fish, raccoons, and insects.

“You judge by what the kids take away from it, and sometimes we’ll see them away from the park, and they’re always talking about their experience,” said Jake Schaben, Wright County naturalist. “That’s one of the reasons we do it every year.”

For the full story, see the June 22 edition of the Monitor.