C.A.R.E. JR Hosts First Summer Camp Program This August!

C.A.R.E. Stratford Jr. Announces First Summer Camp Program

Calling all campers! C.A.R.E. Stratford is excited to announce a new summer camp program running this August 11th to 15th.

C.A.R.E. Stratford Jr. is hosting "Unplugged!", the summer day camp for eco-adventurers. Sign up now for a week filled with environmental activities integrating art, sports, music, drama games, and exploration. The camp will foster active participation and a joy of environmental learning while providing opportunities to interact with peers with similar interests and abilities. Games, problem solving, and teamwork will help campers better understand themselves and the environment around them; learn to capitalize on their strengths and recognize their potential for excellence.

"Every individual has a role in addressing the environmental issues we face. Education is key as is empowerment. I am thrilled to be a part of C.A.R.E. Jr's first summer camp program as I know that by bringing together students with energy and ideas, new environmental initiatives in our region will emerge," said Kerry McManus, C.A.R.E. Stratford chair.

Camp facilitators have a broad range of expertise in teaching, environmental education, and the arts. Performer Eileen Smith employs a cross-curricular approach to learning by educating through arts integration and exploration. Educators Barb Smithers, Kerry McManus, and Fergus Cook hope to inspire and empower the youth to reach their community.

"I'm excited to be working with such a dynamic and diverse group of educators. This is a summer camp not to be missed," said Barb Smithers, camp facilitator.

The camp is being supported by the Community Conservation Initiative Program of the Ministry of Energy. Unplugged will run daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and will be held at Stratford Central Secondary School. Registration forms are now available at P'Lovers and are due by Friday, July 11th. Campers, grades 3 to 8, are encouraged to sign up now as space is limited. The cost is $175 per camper for the week and includes all materials and activities. For more information, email carestratford@cyg.net or phone Barb Smithers at (519) 271-1125, Elizabeth Walkom at (519) 273-3090 or Eileen Smith at (519) 273-4954.

UNPLUGGED!

UNPLUGGED! Energy Conservation Week 2008 ~ May 25th - 31st.

Do you have a clothespin? Want to help raise energy awareness and promote energy conservation? Then join C.A.R.E. Stratford's Unplugged Campaign by writing "UNPLUGGED!" on a clothespin and wearing it for the week. Use this as a reminder to look for ways to reduce energy and as a conversation starter to encourage others to do likewise. "Everyone needs reminders now and then to look for ways to reduce our impact on the planet and the clothespin seemed like the perfect symbol for our Unplugged Campaign."said organizer Kerry McManus.

Energy Conservation Week in Ontario began on Sunday, May 25th and runs until the 31st. The campaign was launched at St. Marys DCVI with John Wilkinson, MPP; Jamie Hahn, Mayor of St. Marys; Dan Mathieson, Mayor of Stratford; Janet Baird-Jackson, Superintendent for the AMDSB and Doug MacDougall, Festival Hydro Chair on Friday May 23rd.

C.A.R.E. Stratford encourages you to look for ways to unplug and conserve energy. Enjoy time with family and friends away from the computer and television screens.

Register on Facebook or by emailing carestratford@cyg.net

Earth Day with Stephen Lewis Event - "Enough Already!"

Momentum is building around environmental issues and a watershed moment is on the horizon in Stratford. On Earth Day, Tuesday April 22, 2008, Stephen Lewis will deliver the keynote address, "Enough Already!" at C.A.R.E. Stratford's Earth Day event. "For too long, we've taken a fragmented approach to ecological and social justice issues, we need to act cognizant of the fact that everything is connected," said organizer Kerry McManus.
From his role as chair of the "International Conference of the Changing Atmosphere" held in 1988 in Toronto to his current position as Professor in Global Health, Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University, Stephen Lewis is keenly aware of the connections between environment, poverty and health. "We are at a pivotal time in history where it is vital that we understand the interplay of our actions on our world. When choosing a speaker to deliver this message, our committee quickly agreed that no one was better suited for this responsibility than Stephen Lewis," commented McManus.
Inspired by the theme for the event, Pam Gerrand has written a song that she will share that evening. "The conditions of the world are calling us all to take action, to step into the heart of compassion and harness the power of our individual efforts to make a change for global good. This razor's edge has brought us to a point of urgency and powerful awakening, to a point of 'Enough Already'. This theme spoke to my heart, and I am honoured to share the song that was born of this inspiration at the Stratford Earth Day event, featuring the keynote address by a uniquely inspiring and passionate advocate for conscious change, Stephen Lewis,"stated Gerrand.
As evidence of the building environmental movement, C.A.R.E. Stratford has received more nominations for Environmental leader awards than ever in its history. Celebrating local unsung heroes is important to C.A.R.E. Stratford. In a time when smog alerts are commonplace and frustration over inaction is typical, pausing to reflect on the positive is important to re-energize and re-focus our collective attention. Though barriers exist, inspiring examples of persistence and ingenuity are around us as well.
During the day a program for elementary students will include both action and awareness components. Stratford's Volunteer Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and C.A.R.E. Stratford have organized a full day where participants will plant trees, package Swan Food as well as learn about composting and proper disposal of batteries.
Doors and exhibits will open for the evening event at 5:30 with the formal program beginning at 7p.m. While the speech by Stephen Lewis is the centrepiece of the evening, the organizers are hoping all attendees will spend time visiting the exhibits. The exchange of ideas and current programming has long been an integral element in C.A.R.E. Stratford's events. A key objective for the organization from its onset was to provide an opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas and activities.
Tickets are $25. In Stratford, tickets are available at Anything Grows, Blowes Stationery, the Gentle Rain and P'Lovers. For those outside of Stratford, tickets are available by contacting Kerry McManus at (519) 273-9012 or by emailing carestratford@cyg.net.
C.A.R.E. Stratford, Common Action for the Restoration of the Environment Stratford, is a grassroots environmental group which seeks to restore the local environment by thinking globally and acting locally.
For additional information, please contact:
Kerry McManus
(519) 273-9012
kerrmcma@fc.amdsb.ca
www.carestratford.org

C.A.R.E. Stratford Seeks Nominations for Environmental Leader Awards

Know an unsung hero in our community? Someone who has made a difference in the Environment? Nominations are now being accepted for C.A.R.E. Stratford’s Environmental Leader Awards. There will be an award given in each of four different categories: individual, group, business and organization.

"Recognizing environmental leaders has always been an important component of our Environmental Symposia. By pausing to celebrate, we do more than honor the recipient, we create an opportunity for education and inspiration," said Kerry McManus, event organizer.
Previous environmental leader winners have included Eric Eberhardt, Donald McTavish and Martin Penner for their dedication and action. Rachel & Ryan Hacking were recognized for their work developing and promoting Swanfood; Sheila Clarke, Nora Walden and Stacey Wilson of Canadian Federation of University Women for their work on cosmetic pesticides.

"The awards are a time to highlight the breadth of opportunity for environmental action. They serve as a chance to honour the contributions made. They also help educate the broader public thereby building momentum for projects at any stage of development. The Environmental Leader awards prove the fact that people can influence their environment and that every action can make a difference," Stacey Wilson, Environmental Leader award recipient.

The Environmental Leader Awards will be presented on Earth Day with Stephen Lewis to an individual for his/her outstanding contribution to making an environmental difference; a group who has actively fostered environmental awareness and activism; a business whose actions have positively impacted the health of our planet and local communities and an organization who has worked to embed environmental action in their facility and/or programming.

Nomination ballots can be picked up at the Stratford Public Library or by emailing carestratford@cyg.net. Deadline for submissions is April 7th, 2008. Nominations may be dropped off at the Stratford Public Library or submitted electronically to carestratford@cyg.net.
The Awards will be presented on Earth Day with Stephen Lewis, Tuesday April 22nd at 7 pm at the Rotary Recreational Complex.