Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 242016 lake Stewards newsletter | 17 CPS-ECP values FOCA members, your families – and your safety on the water! Even if you can always see your dock when you’re boating, you need to have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). If you don’t have your PCOC, get it online or in class with CPS-ECP. Offering courses in 65 locations across Ontario. Find one near you at: boatingcourses.ca Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons www.boatingcourses.ca | 1-888-CPS-BOAT Photo: USCG *or proof of compentency * A child’s motivation for learning is curiosity, so encourage them to explore the great outdoors, ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to get muddy! As children grow and learn how the natural world functions they begin to understand the impacts they have on their environment. The more a child spends positive time in an environment, the more it becomes a part of their identity in adulthood. Next time you are making a family trip to the cottage, keep your future lake stewards in mind. Provide unstructured outdoor play time in all kinds of weather. Encourage exploration with scavenger hunts, critter searches, or just lie back and count the stars together. Invite a ‘junior assistant’ to come along in the boat to hold the secchi disk, help with water sampling, or keep eyes open for loons or herons. Help kids sign up online for Turtle Tally, Frog Watch and other citizen counts; it’s still digital, but you have to go outside to find the stuff to report! Ask yourself: What childhood experiences did you have that were important in creating your love of the waterfront or the environment? How old were you then? Then ask: How can our lake association work together to give these kinds of experiences to as many children as possible? Associations might organize nature walks, fishing derbies, kids’ photo contests, outdoor movie nights, and so much more. These are the memories that children will remember and that will become foundational. By creating a deep connection to their environment and the local community, you will be fostering the stewards of tomorrow. FOCA Members can contact the office to access a digital version of the 68 page report, Pathway to Stewardship. Jack’s Lake Association holds an annual kids’ fishing derby. What a great opportunity to teach children about their environment and engage them in the community with positive memories! Big Gull Lake East End Cottagers Associations has added a “Kids’ Corner” to their newsletter, with critter news for youth (this summer’s edition is about the Luna moth) and digital-free suggestions for rainy-day activities (gotta try the mushroom cap art). Plans are afoot for a scavenger hunt for kids during the August AGM; with some minimal supervision, the kids can play while the adults meet. What’s your association success story? Please share it with us! Email info@foca.on.ca, or send us the details in an old-school letter. (You could even ask a young volunteer to decorate the paper with a bark rubbing…) FOCA Members in Action