Young Ike’s: Growing the Next Generation of Watershed Stewards

Sep 11

By Anne Conway

Every week from mid-June through the end of August, Tuesdays and Wednesdays brought excited young people to Prairie Island Campground to play in nature, be of service, and build lasting connections with one another and the greater community. From cooking lunch in the community garden and playing 4-Square to riding mountain bikes, pulling weeds, fishing, and paddling, these Young Ike’s know how to have fun!

Over 10 weeks, the Will Dilg Chapter created opportunities for 239 youth who are who would not normally have access intentionally connected to experiential nature-baseds to summer programming in order to build confidence, discover new interests, connect with nature, and develop a growing sense of stewardship for the places they call home. Youth spent time on and in the water, swimming every day and paddling during six sessions. They closely observed pollinators and flowers, kept nature journals, helped care for the community garden, and challenged themselves through high-ropes courses and rock climbing on Heyaka Cokaya Owanka (The Sugarloaf).

They also began to look more closely at the health of the waters they love to play in. Through hands-on water-quality monitoring, youth learned to take measurements, make observations, and think like scientists as they explored what those numbers can tell us about the health of the river, lake or a stream. In doing so, they experienced firsthand that caring for the River begins with paying attention to it.

Along the way, they learned to try new things, work together, pay attention to the natural world, and take responsibility for their community. Another essential component of Young Ike’s is creating a pathway for youth leadership: four Junior Counselors, ages 14–16, were mentored in becoming program leaders and positive role models for younger participants.

We are grateful to our partners at Winona State University, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, and Big River Climbing Guides, who helped make these experiences possible. This programming was supported through an Endowment Grant from the Izaak Walton League of America, along with generous support from Winona Community Foundation, Lyle & Kris Blanchard, Storm the Day Race, and Enlightened Equipment.

And none of this happens without the incredible staff and volunteers who show up week after week. This summer, our volunteers and student interns contributed more than 300 hours to Young Ike’s programming. That is a remarkable investment in our young people—and in the next generation of watershed stewards.

As we look back on the summer, we are especially grateful for the laughter, sandy feet, new skills, growing confidence, and connections that these young people brought to Prairie Island Park. In the words of one young participant: