In a new partnership with the North American Water Gardening Society’s (NAWGS) Ponds for Kids (PFK) program, schools enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program receive free technical assistance from Lee Vought with Vought Water Gardens.
In addition to being enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program, schools interested in participating in the Ponds for Kids program must send at least one representative from the school’s Outdoor Classroom Planning Committee to an Aquatic Study Area workshop hosted by AWF and Vought Water Gardens. Visit the Teacher Workshops webpage to see when the next Aquatic Study Area workshop will be held.
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| Through the Ponds for Kids program, students, parents, faculty and community volunteers help build and install a water garden on their school grounds in JUST ONE DAY! |
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| Vought, a resident of Decatur, Alabama, helps outdoor classroom schools develop and install their water garden, which includes a waterfall, 10-foot stream, and 180-square-foot pond. Schools are also able to purchase the supplies for their water garden at a discounted rate.
The water garden will provide an aquatic studies area in the schools’ outdoor classroom sites for hands-on learning opportunities about aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. Frequently Asked Questions |
What is Ponds for Kids?
How can my school sign up for the Ponds for Kids Program?
What role does NAWGS & Ponds for Kids Play?
What is the average cost of materials for a Ponds for Kids Day?
Are we guaranteed a contractor to install our pond for free?
How much area will the pond require?
How long will the pond take to build?
How many students can work on the project?
How many volunteers are needed to complete the project?
The Ponds for Kids Program provides FREE technical assistance for schools who would like to build a pond (or aquatic studies area) component for their outdoor classroom site in just one day with the assistance of their students and volunteers. The Program is designed to give children and young adults a working appreciation for nature and ecology. Additionally, other areas like math, art, and creative writing can be incorporated by respective teachers. The opportunities are many and the ideas are limitless on how a school can incorporate the Ponds for Kids program into their curriculum.
how can my school sign up for the ponds for kids program?
Schools enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program, can sign up for the Ponds for Kids Program by contacting the AWF Conservation Education Staff. All schools interested in building a pond through the Ponds for Kids Program must attend a one-day Aquatic Studies Workshop prior to holding their Ponds for Kids Day at their school. To see if an Aquatic Studies Workshop is currently being offered, please visit our Teacher Workshops page.
WHAT ROLE DOES NAWGS & PONDS FOR KIDS PLAY?
NAWGS & Ponds for Kids coordinates the contractors who are willing to share their expertise on the PFK Installer Network. NAWGS publishes and sells the Planning and Activity Guide which is a great resource for teachers and administrators as they go through the process with their contractor, Lee Vought. Finally, when the successful event is over, the NAWGS website offers an opportunity to show off your work in their PFK Portfolio!
What is the average cost of materials for a Ponds for Kids Day?
This cost is approximately between $3,000 - $3,500.
Rock cost in your area can directly affect this cost. This fee includes…
- Rock and Gravel
- Liner & Underlayment
- Aquascape Designs Filtration System
- Aquascape Designs high efficiency submersible pump
- Piping and plumbing
ARE WE GUARANTEED A CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL OUR POND FOR FREE?
Through a partnership with the North American Water Gardening Society’s (NAWGS) Ponds for Kids program, schools enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program will receive free technical assistance from Lee Vought of Vought Water Gardens.
HOW MUCH AREA WILL THE POND REQUIRE?
Ponds for Kids Ponds are approximately 11’ x 16’ in diameter. It is not recommended to go much larger since it would be difficult to accomplish in one day. The pond (including the waterfall) will require an area of approximately 20’x 30’ once all the plants are added to the mix. The water garden area includes a waterfall, stream, and pond.
HOW LONG WILL THE POND TAKE TO BUILD?
The pond will take JUST ONE DAY to build! You will need at least one eight hour day for the staff and students who get to participate by providing the hands-on elbow grease for the project. In the past, we’ve found that the kids not only love the novelty of working together outdoors, but the also take an owner’s pride in knowing it was their own sweat equity that brought the pond to life.
HOW MANY STUDENTS CAN WORK ON THE PROJECT?
The possibilities are endless… suggestions for how to organize the students are included in the PFK Planning Guide along with what jobs are appropriate for each grade level.
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT?
15 strong volunteers in the first morning shift to dig hole for pond (7 am-11 am)
20 student volunteers (at least) throughout the day
15 volunteers in the afternoon shift (Noon – 4 pm)
The Ponds for Kids program is a partnership with the
