A dip in Lake Murray Tuesday proved to be a very rewarding for a group of kids. Not only did it give them a chance to cool down, but they also soaked up some knowledge about the importance of water quality.
The pre-teens spent the day learning on the lake.
"It's pretty neat, and there's so many things in a foot of water it's pretty cool," said Adam Abdulrahman.
The 11-year-old is one of 20, ranging in age from 10 to 12; all getting hands on experience.
"The beetle was coming over into the other thing and the dragon fly larvae was like wigging-out in there," said Abdulrahman.
"Every step along the way we make sure it's very interactive, and we try not to lecture to them a whole lot," said Water Shed Agent Bill Blackston.
Instead organizers allow the kids the chance to get up close with some creepy crawlers. Blackston knows the importance of understanding what's swimming in our lakes and streams.
"Our phosphates, our nitrates or pollutants coming out of our cars," said Blackston. "If those things make there way to our water system, down the road, we could be paying a very dear price for that. So it's important that we be pro-active."
Part of the programs activities include fish printing, swimming, a lake history lesson and critter counting.
"So far I've gotten a tadpole, dragon fly larva and other cool creatures that I don't know what they're called." said Abdulrahman.
And for the pre-teen, he already knows what he wants to be when he's older.
"And this is before I did this, I wanted to be a Marine Vertebrate Biologist," said Abdulrahman.
He's getting a head start, all while enjoying that fun in the sun.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH