Capital Region Youth Summit 2005

Capital Region Earth Force's First Annual Youth Summit was a celebration of the environment and the efforts of local youth to improve their community. Roughly 300 students arrived the morning of April 8th, 2005, at Bluemont Park in Arlington, Virginia. The middle school-aged participants came from the District of Columbia, Arlington County and Fairfax County schools.

Students participated in activities during the morning session from the following list of 14 organizations and agencies:

Alexandria City Councilman Andrew Macdonald
Alexandria City Division of Environmental Quality
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
District of Columbia, Department of Health, Fisheries and Wildlife Division
Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Living Classrooms Foundation
National Zoo
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Potomac Overlook Nature Center
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Department of Forestry
Wild Art

Each organization/agency crafted an environmentally-themed booth that investigated a subject that supported the Virginia Standards of Learning and the D.C. Benchmarks. Local fish species, the energy cycle, macroinvertebrates, water monitoring and birds of prey were a few of themes covered by the booths.

After enjoying snacks and beverages donated by Whole Foods Market, the students completed their afternoon by reflecting on the morning's activities and brainstorming ways their actions could have a positive impact on the welfare of their environmental community. Earth Force students from Glasgow Middle School, Gunston Middle School, Kenmore Middle Schools and Long Branch Elementary School concluded the day's activities with poster presentations detailing their Earth Force civic action project progress.

Without the generous donations made by the following organizations, the Capital Region Youth Summit would not have been possible - Thank you!
Belle Haven Marina
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Pepco
Potomac Belle Charters
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Whole Foods Market

We hope to see you at the Second Annual Youth Summit in 2006!