News

A former program at the Mary Gary Bird Sanctuary for elementary students is being brought back to life through a grant to Fayette County Community Voices from the Fayette County Foundation.

The Community Voices Literacy and Education Capital Group is partnering with the Bird Sanctuary to put on an outdoor education experience June 11-22. The program is daily Monday through Friday each week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including an overnight and a field trip. The program is for all Fayette County students in grades two to six, as of May this year. Kids will hike, camp, dissect owl pellets, read a new book each day, stargaze, creek hike, learn about birds and more.  Retired teacher Pam Herrmann will be coordinating the event.  She led the program back in the 1980s and 90s.  “This will give the next generation of kids a chance to experience it,” Herrmann said.  “It’s a blast from the past.”

The Foundation funded $15,000 to revive the program.  It is one of several youth programs funded by the Foundation this year.  “The ladies who wrote the application have a lot of memories about Outdoor Ed and it was fun to hear our grant committee members adding their own,” she said. “The idea just brought a smile to everyone’s face. It’s a great collaboration of people and a wonderful opportunity for kids this summer.  The Voices group has planned an exciting two weeks at a very minimal cost to families.”

Pictured from left are: Pam Herrmann, Elaine Bruns, both of Community Voices, and Devin Hornsby, Foundation Grant Committee.