THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406010148
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940602 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
``Making the birdhouses was fun,'' said Kurtisha, a fourth-grader and one of about 30 children who recently took part in the Suffolk Extension Department's environmental workshop for youngsters living in Suffolk's public housing communities.
{REST} Funded with a $250 grant from the Virginia 4-H Foundation, the workshop is designed to teach children the importance of caring for the environment.
In addition to building birdhouses, the group toured the Dismal Swamp and learned about ecology.
The houses were easy to make, agreed Kurtisha and her friend, Marion Stevenson.
``It's not at all hard to hammer,'' said Marion, 11, holding up the birdhouse bearing her signature to prove it was no problem for her.
``I liked learning about animal habitats,'' said Kurtisha. ``And by building the birdhouses, we gave the birds a home.''
But that's not all the 4-H workshop participants built, said Fay Taylor, head of the Suffolk Extension Department.
With each pounding of nails into wood, the children strengthened their self-esteem and molded their character, she said.
``This gives them some educational information on wildlife, building wood projects and caring for their environment,`` Taylor said. ``But this is also a way of getting these kids involved. This teaches them to work cooperatively on projects and to take pride in their community.''
Chorey Park residents were happy to reap the benefits of the children's project, said Willie Eason, president of the apartment's civic league.
``It's a very nice thing for the children to do,'' Eason said.
``Now the birds have a place to live, and it helps the children learn to take care of animals and nature.''
by CNB