Connect
The first pillar of the Junior Water Walkers is to establish or strengthen children's connection to water. The ideas and resources below are offered to guide and assist you in developing those connections.
A message to Junior Water Walkers and Water Box Keepers from Joanne Robertson, author of the Water Walker.
An important and inspiring message to Junior Water Walkers everywhere from Dr. Kelsey Leonard. World Water Day (or any day) is a great day to connect with water. Explore the activities below to help you start connecting with water!
Be a Water Detective Whether you're at home or school, look out the window. Can you see water? Go outside and explore. Observe your surroundings. Where is the water? Remember, water can come in many forms. Take some time to think about: Where did it come from? Where is it going? Capture a photo or two. Use your camera as a magnifying glass...ZOOM IN! Take the photo from different angles and perspectives. Invite a family member or friend to find water with you. Share your photos with family or friends. Check out our Instagram feed for some incredible photos!
Find your closest natural water source If you are unsure, use Google Earth to help you locate your closest natural water source (pond, creek, river, lake, ocean), it may be closer than you think! With your teacher, parent or guardian, walk to your closest accessible water source. Please insure to abide by all water safety protocols. Take some time to be absolutely still and quiet. Use your five senses; what do you notice? Walk around the water, take time to get to know and appreciate it. What questions do you have? Will you plan to visit this place again?
Find other water sources Using Google Earth, find natural water sources to explore. If you can, get out there! If not, get to know them on Google Earth. You'd be amazed at what you can find! Contact your local Conservation authority. Conservation areas are great places to start connecting with water!
The Shape of It! Whether you're connecting with a water source in nature or using the power of technology to take you to water (ie Google Earth), take some time to use your observation skills and sketch out what you see. What does the shape of your water source look like? For example many people think the outline of Lake Superior looks like a wolf's head! Look at different bodies of water using Google Earth, maps, atlases, photos and books. Can you find other bodies of water that resemble something? Use your imagination!
Just Listen! Have you ever spent some time simply listening to water. You might be surprised what you'll hear. While visiting a water source, take some time to be still and quiet. Just listen! If you'd like take a short video. Remember to be absolutely quiet; let only the water do the speaking. Share your video on Instagram or Twitter and tag @juniorwaterwalkers or @petectweets. Add the #JuniorWaterWalkers hashtag!
Water Stories Connect with a relative or family friend such as a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt or neighbour. Ask if they have a connection to water? Is there a special body of water they used to visit? What was its name? Who did they visit with? What do they remember? What made it special. If possible, abiding by all Covid and safety protocols, visit that body of water with your relative or family friend. If it's not possible to visit in person, can ask your relatives or family friends if they have a photo or two to share. Visit the water source, virtually, using Google Earth.
Connect with local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders Our Indigenous friends have so much knowledge and wisdom to share! They have a natural connection to water that is strong and rooted in culture. Their teachings are both wise and important. Invite a local Indigenous peoples to your classroom. Have them share their stories and teachings. Visit a body of water with them. Listen carefully, they have a lot to share!
Just get out there and walk! Imagine walking around all five Great Lakes? That's exactly what Nokomis Josephine Mandamin-ba did! Talk about a connection to water! I have met no other person who has such a strong connection and love for water. If you want to build your connection to water, just get out there and walk! Perhaps set a personal, class or school goal to walk the distance around the perimeter of a body of water.
Dr. Kelsey Leonard: "How Do We Restore our Connection to Water? Dr. Kelsey Leonard , water scientist and water protector, shares her thoughts on how we can restore our connection to water. This podcast, produced by Solve It For Kids, is a must listen for all.