W.A.C.K.Y. Day Group, Kansas: National Earth Team Group Volunteer Award

Wildlife, Agriculture, Conservation Knowledge for Youth (W.A.C.K.Y.) Earth Team volunteers -- 6th graders in Norton, Philips, Smith, Osborne, Rooks and Graham counties in Northwest Kansas  (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)

Wildlife, Agriculture, Conservation Knowledge for Youth (W.A.C.K.Y.) Day – the Earth Team volunteers involved in planning and organizing this event work all year to make this day a successful learning experience for the sixth-graders in Norton, Philips, Smith, Osborne, Rooks, and Graham counties in Northwest Kansas.  Because of the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers that take part in this event, W.A.C.K.Y.  Day has become an amazing success and has grown from “we will try it and see what happens” to a long standing and much anticipated tradition among the students and teachers. Of the total budget for W.A.C.K.Y., two-thirds of that amount is time donated by volunteers.

The six counties involved in WACKY Day are located in a rural area where it is just not feasible for schools to bus students to areas where they would be able to enjoy the type of learning experiences that students in larger metropolitan areas have access to.  The teachers truly enjoy being able to bring their students to this event and being able to provide them with this type of hands on learning experiences.

WACKY Day has helped build alliances not only within the counties…but also between the counties.  In the counties themselves the conservation districts, farm bureau organizations, extension offices, wildlife groups, and schools all have developed good working relationships and have a better idea of what is offered by each group.

This event has definitely strengthened partnerships between those county conservation districts involved.  The Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Smith, Graham, and Osborne County Conservation Districts have begun working together to share equipment, educational programs, and provide assistance for cost-share programs.