Jones said the festival is a daylong event that uses games, activities and crafts to stress the importance of water. Using hands-on activities, the children learn how to conserve water and to protect water resources. The topics, which all relate to water, can range from wastewater treatment to the importance of wetlands. The festival could use about 20 more adult volunteers, said Karen Hawk, volunteer coordinator for the event. Hawk is the administrative assistant for public affairs for the Greene County Office of Environmental Services.
Volunteers help by assisting teachers and students with the activities.
Attendance at the festival is by invitation. Jones sends registration cards to elementary and middle schools in Montgomery and Greene counties. Those who register, about 4,000 this year, are put into a lottery, she said. Jones said because Dayton provides much of the funding and coordinates the program, Dayton Public Schools are given priority. About 1,500 of the students to attend this year are from Dayton schools, she said.