Local youth attend state water camp Posted On: Sunday, Jul. 19 2009 05:26 AM Special to the Daily Herald

Five local youth are spending some of their summer learning about water. The Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District sponsored five high school students to attend the Texas State Youth Water Camp in Monahans from July 12-16. Students who attended this year are Chakore Blakley, Gerald Cole, Tristen Harris, David Holland and Markus Martin.

The purpose of the camp is to help older youth become aware of water issues including water quality and supply. The camp features field trips, tours and hands-on group project work. Recreational activities include trips to the Balmorhea State Park and a spring-fed Olympic size swimming pool.

"This is a great opportunity for our local youth to have fun while learning how the water industry works and how they can protect their future water supply," commented Horace Grace, Clearwater Board president. The water camp is an annual event sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Clearwater offers financial support by paying the camp fee for local students.

Sponsoring students for the State Water Camp is one of several educational activities Clearwater supports and promotes. Other activities include an annual essay and poster contest on water conservation aimed at fifth-grade students; Major Rivers water education program and Splash books offered to elementary schools; water conservation literature packets and bookcovers promoting water awareness provided to all Bell County schools; and an annual water symposium held in the fall.

For more information about Clearwater, go to www.clearwaterdistrict.org.