Page 18 - The Nature of Community

“The shy one here (points to daughter), she’s actually spearheaded recycling
in our house. She’s part of the school’s environmental club. I’m sure the seed
was planted at Eden Place and through the Brookfield Zoo program.”
– Masajji Patrick, parent of SCIENCES participants

“I didn’t want to do this program “These programs make sense. Give “We got to go on a field trip every
when I first heard about it, but a friend kids a chance to connect with nature, Tuesday! We got to feed animals, plant
in the program convinced me. I loved like we used to before we were afraid. things, pull weeds.” – Javantae, middle
the smoothie competition. I came in Animals, plants—you find out where school student, SCIENCES participant
first place. The people are nice and they your food came from. It’s great that they
helped me become a better leader.” are encouraged to learn on their own. “I learned about how plants could be
– Darnell, high school student, A real benefit of the program was bring- used for different things. I learned about
SCIENCES participant ing kids to Brookfield Zoo, especially for the different properties and how they
kids who weren’t able to go before.” could help the body.” – Kelise, middle
“I found out how much sugar is in – Rosie Muhammed, The Salvation school student, SCIENCES participant
what we eat and drink, about the Army Family Outreach Initiative
nutritional value.” – Kailie, middle “They taught science better than they
school student, SCIENCES participant “My daughter did a report on tea­— do at school. It’s interactive. You see how
she did so much research and learned it actually works. You don’t just sit
“I loved going to the Zoo, seeing the so much. My son would come home there and take notes.” – Tyannah, middle
dolphin show.” – Taylor, middle school from Brookfield Zoo with funny stories school student, SCIENCES participant
student, SCIENCES participant about how the geese ran the place. One
day, leaving Eden Place, we found a huge
“I liked being outside.” – Haley, praying mantis on the back seat of our
high school student, SCIENCES car. We had some mason jars and we
participant brought it back to release it at Eden
Place. I love that my kids and I had
“This is a place where the kids are these experiences and stories.”
safe. When they grow up, they’ll know – Linda Hampton, parent of four
where they came from. They can experi- SCIENCES participants
ence things here they can’t anywhere
else. They love it.” – Mettie James,
community resident

16 THE NATURE OF COMMUNITY