The Halton Children’s Water Festival marked its 20th anniversary this year.
3,912 elementary school students were welcomed to Kelso Conservation Area for four days of hands-on environmental education.
Co-hosted by Conservation Halton and Halton Region from October 5th to October 8th, the festival brought together students in Grades 2 to 5 to explore water conservation, the environment and climate stewardship through 60 interactive, curriculum-linked activity stations.
Since launching in 2006, the festival has expanded beyond its original focus on local water education to include broader environmental and climate-related topics. Its annual capacity has grown from 3,000 students to as many as 4,000.
Over the past two decades, more than 64,000 elementary students have participated, supported by more than 8,000 local high school volunteers who help deliver activities while developing their own leadership and communication skills.
Chandra Sharma, President and CEO of Conservation Halton, says the anniversary represents two decades of providing young people with opportunities to learn about water and nature through direct experience.
“Twenty years of the Halton Children’s Water Festival is a remarkable milestone. That’s a generation of young people who understand water and nature from first-hand experience. Hands-on, outdoor learning leaves a lasting impact on children and youth. With Halton Region and our partners, we’ll keep enhancing this event so every child who leaves the festival understands the value of water conservation, and their role in protecting it.”
Conservation Halton and its partners plan to continue expanding environmental education opportunities, with future festivals expected to incorporate more Indigenous Knowledge and climate resilience programming.
For more information about the Halton Children’s Water Festival, click here.
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