HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Nearly 3,000 Henry County third graders traded their classrooms for the outdoors this month, taking part in hands-on science and conservation lessons at the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove.
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The Henry County Water Authority welcomed 2,936 students during two weeks of field trips earlier this month. Students from 28 elementary schools participated in activities designed to reinforce what they are learning in the classroom.
The annual “Cubihatcha Kids” program covers topics including the water cycle, water quality, native wildlife, honeybees, pollinators, watersheds and stormwater pollution. Students also learned about Native American history, forest management and other conservation topics.
The activities align with Georgia’s third-grade academic standards and applied science, technology, engineering and math curricula.
Organizers called this year’s program the best in its 24-year history.
“My kids are saying they love this way more than being in class indoors. They can experience it – not just hear about it,” said LaQuida Landry, a teacher at Rocky Creek Elementary School.
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The field trips also featured a new participating organization this year: the Henry County Parks & Recreation Department. Staff members led a “Build-A-Park” class that encouraged students to use their imaginations while learning about parks.
The program was established in 2003 through a partnership between the Henry County Water Authority and the Henry County Board of Education. More than 60,000 students and teachers have participated since the program began, according to the water authority.
The field trips take place at the Cubihatcha Center, which spans approximately 1,000 acres of protected green space. The property includes nature trails, outdoor classroom gazebos and the water authority’s Reservoir & Land Management Office.
The center was built in 1999 as part of the authority’s wetlands mitigation plan, which aims to preserve green space and replace wetlands affected by development.
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