What is the Water Festival?
The Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival is a bilingual, full day environmental education program designed to compliment the Ontario Curriculum. The purpose of the program is to educate young people about the value of water through fun and engaging hands-on stations!
The festival features approximately 25 hands-on water discovery centers that address five different water related themes:
Water Conservation
The responsible use of water in our daily lives.
Water Protection
The interdependence of ground and surface water, soil, plants, animals, and people. As well as positive steps people can take to keep water clean.
Water Attitude
Historical and present day uses and attitudes towards water.
Water Technology
How water is treated, stored, and distributed throughout the community.
Water Science
The water cycle, surface and ground water flow, watersheds, and aquatic environments.
Who is it For?
The eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival attracts participants from both urban and rural areas across eastern Ontario. The program is unique in its ability to provide bilingual opportunities for students to participate in scientific and environmental educational activities.
The Water Festival provides students and teachers access to hands-on programs that would not otherwise be available to them. The Festival can accommodate a maximum of 250 participants each day. By holding a festival to educate children and improve their water ideology, we believe we are taking an important step towards ensuring a safe water supply for generations to come.
How does it Work?
The eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival is funded entirely by grants and donations that are solicited annually by the River Institute.
Continuation of the existing festival is dependent on funds raised. Each festival involves at least 60 volunteers per day, including secondary school students and teachers, environmental organizations (i.e. conservation authorities and stewardship councils), and other community volunteers who help deliver the water-related messages and activities.
Locations
The Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival takes place at three unique and inspiring locations, each offering a different perspective on the natural world and its relationship with water. From the historic and eco-conscious Maitland Tower, to the generations-old agricultural wisdom at Ferme Drouin, to the innovative environmental research at the River Institute, each site provides an immersive backdrop for learning about the vital importance of water. These locations create an engaging and educational experience for all attendees, helping bring the festival’s mission to life in vibrant, real-world settings.
For more information
please contact:
aakkermans[at]riverinstitute.ca
Maitland
Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Upper St. Lawrence River, Maitland Tower offers a unique blend of history and environmental sustainability. Founded in 2016, Maitland Tower Corp. is dedicated to preserving the health of the river and its surrounding ecosystem through its redevelopment efforts. The site follows the One Planet Living® Framework, focusing on creating sustainable solutions while honoring the natural beauty of the area. Visitors to this historic 1828 stone tower are invited to explore a site that connects environmental education with the rich heritage of the St. Lawrence River.
Casselman
Steeped in over a century of agricultural history, Ferme Drouin is a family-run farm that has been passed down through five generations. Located along the Nation-Sud River in Casselman, this fertile landscape has been cultivated for over 130 years, blending tradition with innovation. Known locally for its unique “Ox-bow” curve along the river, Ferme Drouin offers visitors a chance to learn about farming practices and the integral role water plays in agricultural life. The farm’s long history provides a deeply rooted context for understanding the environmental impact of water on farming and rural life.
Cornwall
A leader in environmental research, the River Institute has been at the forefront of scientific study of the St. Lawrence River since its establishment in 1994. This non-governmental organization brings together a diverse range of community partners, including governments, educators, and the Mohawks of Akwesasne, to conduct research that deepens our understanding of river ecosystems. The River Institute’s commitment to education and scientific research makes it an ideal setting for the festival, offering participants a glimpse into the cutting-edge work that helps protect and sustain the river’s environment for future generations.