During Lake Adventure Days, a student learns how aquifers work by participating a water-use relay. Photo provided by Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams

News Release

WINONA LAKE —  In early September, 502 fourth-graders participated in one of the Lilly Center’s flagship programs: Lake Adventure Days. The students and teachers assembled at Pike Lake in classes (19 in all) and cycled through a series of hands-on learning activities, all revolving around the lakes. 

“Everyone’s favorite station was fishing, of course,” said Sarah Baier, education program specialist. “Many of these students had never fished before. We helped them bait hooks, cast and reel.”

The fish were not biting that afternoon, but one lucky student did manage to pull in his first catch. 

At another station, students joined in a relay game to understand aquifers. They were taught the importance of local water resources and how their actions impact the quality and quantity of water and the health of aquatic ecosystems. 

The third station featured student-created watershed models. Students then simulated rainfall and watched the impact on their watershed. They observed how water moves through a watershed while carrying potential pollutants, flowing downhill until reaching a larger body of water. 

To run smoothly, Lake Adventure Days relies on support from the School of Education at Grace College. This year, nearly 80 education majors taught the stations.

“Lake Adventure Days gives them real-world teaching experience,” Baier emphasized. “Especially for our first-year college students, the fast-paced field trip is a great way to initiate them into teaching. We couldn’t do it without them.”

This year, Lake Adventure Days was generously underwritten by the Weigand Pursley Family Foundation, and sponsored by 1st Source Bank, Bart’s Water Sports, City of Warsaw, Creighton Brothers, DePuy Synthes, Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners, The Papers, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club and Winona IT. 

Everyone’s favorite activity; students who come to Lake Adventure Days learn how to bait, cast and reel. Photo provided by Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams