Clouds dotted the skies and a thunderstorm loomed in the distance, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the 57 youngsters that showed up at Kirkman’s Cove near Humboldt on Wednesday, June 16, for the Watershed of Wonders. Sponsored by the Nemaha Natural Resources District, the day camp targets 10-12 year olds interested in learning more about natural resources.
Over a span of five hours, the participants from Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Pawnee and Richardson counties launched water rockets into the air, used GPS equipment to hunt for treasures, tried their aim at archery, got a close up look at different fish species, practiced their casting skills, took a pontoon boat ride, and even participated in the Nemaha NRD’s own version of the Amazing “Water” Race. At the end of the day, each participant receive a bag full of goodies including their own 2010 Watershed of Wonders T-shirt.
Busy Day of Activities    
The entire day’s activities, including lunch, snacks, drinks, and prizes, were provided at no cost to participants thanks in part to the generous donations of various vendors and organizations. Contributors and volunteers for this year’s Watershed of Wonders included: Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission-Aksarben Aquarium, Subway of Tecumseh, Bass Pro Shop, Scheels, Big Indian Archers, Kirkman’s Lakeview Golf Course, Five Rivers RC&D, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. In addition Don and Carol Ensor, Tecumseh, graciously brought their pontoon boat down for the day giving rides to the participants. Finally, volunteers also included a number of parents, teenagers, and even some younger helpers, without whom this event could not take place.
Watershed of Wonders originated in 2002 as a method for educating youth about the conservation efforts needed to help keep the waters of Kirkman’s Cove lake clean. Grants from the EPA and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality helped pay for conservation measures in the Kirkman’s watershed to help reduce sediment and erosion in the lake and watershed.
Held every two years, the prior camp took place at Iron Horse Trail Lake where a similar grant was used to provide the same protection for that public recreation lake.