Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club makes substantial contribution
In support of Nature Scopes binocular program for county fifth-graders, Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club presented a check for $3,000 at its May 7 meeting, making it the largest civic group donor to the program.
“Burton-Middlefield Rotary believes that Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes program should be available to every fifth-grader in Geauga County,” said club treasurer Tracy Jemison. “It is a great educational program that stimulates the students’ interest in science. We applaud the Park District for offering this program to the fifth-graders throughout Geauga County.”
Nature Scopes is a comprehensive, year-long program aligned with Ohio Science Education Content Standards. It reached 90 percent of county fifth-graders this year, with a goal of reaching 100 percent by the 2015-16 school year.
“But we can only do this with the continued support from individuals and civic organizations like the Burton-Middlefield Rotary,” said Teresa Runion, Park District development associate. “The club has contributed to this program for three years, and Geauga Park District is very appreciative of its partnership and support.”
Research shows that we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, but there is evidence that nature is critical for a child’s healthy development – not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually.
Nature Scopes teaches kids to get outside and get plugged into nature with binoculars, not plugged into a video game or TV. Since the program’s inception in 2003, it has reached 4,300 Geauga kids – and all funds are underwritten by private donations that purchase binoculars and field guides given to the students through this program.
