Optimist Meeting: The Payette Children's Forest

This Tuesday, Nov 18, 0700 at the Pancake House, Gina Bonaminio, Fishery Biologist for the Payette National Forest will present a slide show about the Payette Children’s Forest.  Here is what Gina wrote about the organization and what she will talk about: 

 

“Our mission is to provide meaningful and affordable outdoor education, recreation, stewardship and work experience activities for youth in Adams and Valley counties.  The board is comprised of representatives from the Payette NF, Wild Science Explorers, McCall Donnelly school district, Ponderosa State Park, Little Ski Hill and Brundage Mtn.  Our primary focus is hosting two main events a year, one summer and one winter event.  These events are geared toward families and youths of all ages and encourages getting outside and learning about the land and water surrounding us.  The Payette Children’s Forest also co-sponsors programs like the Jr. Ranger Program at Ponderosa State Park, Wild Rockies Youth Triathlon, and the Council summer work crew.  We also help other organizations write grants to help support their programs that get kids outside and learning in experiential ways.  We most recently held a Middle School Day event on the New Meadows and Council Ranger Districts that brought area 7th grade students together to learn about ecological restoration activities happening in their communities.  That was a partnership with all the local school districts and the McCall Outdoor Science School.  As the Children’s Forest representative I look forward to sharing all that we’ve accomplished and what we have to look forward to.”

Come join us for breakfast on Tuesday.  Don’t miss out.  Gina is a very good speaker and doing great things for our young people.

Tom Crawford,

McCall Optimist President
Promise Yourself:   To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.