USFWS Biologist Kraig McPeek gets down and dirty with local school kids at the 2008 Eco-Camp in Rock Island, Illinois. Photo by Rachael Perrin.

Local kids get their first shot at touching and learning about leopard frogs at the 2008 Eco-Camp. USFWS photo by Kraig McPeek

The weather couldn’t have been better for an EcoCamp.  Nearly 300 students from around the Quad Cities (Rock Island County, Illinois) area joined conservation professionals to learn about the wonderful world around them.  In one corner of Loud Thunder State Park, the Illinois DNR fisheries folks had everything from muskies to turtles and discussed the unique traits of aquatic species in the lake.  In another area of the park/ the local DNR forester and Soil and Water Conservation District staff led nature walks and discussed forestry issues and wildlife, while demonstrating the power of Global Positioning Systems.  Down in the mud, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Kraig McPeek, Rock Island Field Office) led an investigation of an ephemeral wetland complex.  Students had the opportunity to see insects and frogs up close and in some cases (if they had the courage) touch ‘em.  In keeping with the Service's goal of reintroducing America’s children with nature, events like this are integral.  Students got muddy, creeped out, slimy, and itchy – but they learned!