By Isabel Packevicz (Environmental Education Intern)
(Brooksdale Environmental Centre – Surrey, BC)
Photos: Le-chi Mao

In addition to one-day education events during the summer, the A Rocha Brooksdale environmental education team ran a week-long daycamp centered around the wonders of water. One of my favorite moments occurred after craft time as we waited for another group of kids to arrive. The children were playing in the grass when Lucy (the very friendly Brooksdale farm dog) ambled up. Of course everyone “oooed” and “ahhhed” and immediately gathered around to pet her (making Lucy a very happy dog). Suddenly, an argument broke out—one of the party had apparently killed a beetle! A little girl from the circle picked up the beetle, cradled it in her hands, and said calmly, “What makes you think Lucy’s life is more important than this beetle’s?”

I was so amazed to see the kids take seriously what we had been talking about all week—the importance of creation, the necessity of caring for it, and the value of things we often fail to notice.

Brooksdale farm dog Lucy enjoying time with Summer Daycamp participants at Brooksdale Environmental Centre (Surrey, BC)