January 2025 Department Updates
As the end of the year approaches, December has proven to be a productive and eventful month for our team. Here are the highlights from December, and what is to come in January.Marcus Nack, Environmental Education Manager
Building Maintenance and Safety
We kicked off December with our routine building checks to ensure everything is in top condition. This included verifying adequate gas levels in the tank and inspecting fire extinguishers. ABC Fire conducted their annual safety check as well, giving us the green light for another year. These essential maintenance steps keep our facilities safe and operational for all.
Annual Team Meeting
Our staff gathered for the annual team meeting, a cornerstone of our operational strategy. This meeting provides an opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and alignment. Together, we reviewed the past year’s successes and challenges, while setting our sights on adapting operations and goals for the coming year. This collective effort ensures our team stays focused and cohesive.
Program Promotion
Aron (CORES) and Marcus have been hard at work planning and promoting upcoming programs. With improved processes in place, we’ve developed promotional materials including flyers, event Facebook pages, videos, and bulk emails. Our goal is to maximize outreach and engagement. December’s trail-based programs included the Ugly Sweater 5K and Mistletoe Mile, and we’re already planning for more exciting events in the months to come.
Winter Camps
This year, our Winter Camps took on an exciting new format! Instead of multi-day camps, we introduced two single-day camps designed specifically for different age groups. This approach gave children the opportunity to enjoy engaging recreational activities tailored to their interests.
For our younger campers, the day was packed with discovery and fun. They explored how animals survive the winter, embarked on a winter scavenger hunt, created their very own animal track books, and ended the day cozying up around the fire with delicious s'mores.
Older campers embraced the challenges of winter survival. They honed their skills in shelter building, fire building, and animal tracking, finishing the day with warm pudgy pies cooked over the fire.
We’re thrilled to see how much these camps resonated with the children and can’t wait to see what next year holds!
Looking Ahead to January
January promises to be just as dynamic. Highlights include:
RecDesk Launch
We have rolled out a new software system to manage shooting range memberships and event signups. From now on, all members of the Big Hollow Shooting Range will create and renew their memberships through the new RecDesk system. Emails will be sent to existing members with instructions on how to create profiles and manage their memberships. As an added bonus, members can expect to get some additional value in the future as we partner with the local business community to offer various perks and incentives to the target shooting community. Stay tuned…
Additionally, all event signups will go through this new system as well, including summer camps, our various 5K events, and others. Similar to systems used by YMCA’s, once you create a profile in the system, signing up for events is easy. Create your profile by clicking “Create Account” here: https://dmcconservation.recdesk.com/Community/Home
Westland Mall Crawl 5K
Stay warm while completing a 5K indoors at the Westland Mall Crawl on January 25th at 9 AM! Participants will walk or run nine laps inside the mall’s climate-controlled environment. This unique event combines fitness with comfort, making it a great start to the new year. You can sign up here: Westland Mall 5K Crawl.
Eagle Watch Program
Join us on Saturday, January 18, for the annual Eagle Watch program. Starting at 10:00 AM at the Port of Burlington Welcome Center, the event features a bald eagle presentation, followed by a caravan to Lock and Dam 18 for eagle observation. This free event is open to all ages and offers a chance to witness the majestic bald eagle in its natural habitat. Binoculars will be available to borrow, and no registration is required. Please dress for the weather and check the Starr’s Cave Nature Center Facebook page for updates.
Wrapping Up
As we close out December, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and excited about what’s ahead. Whether it’s through new systems like RecDesk, enhanced programming, or cherished traditions like the Eagle Watch, our team remains dedicated to providing engaging and educational experiences for the community. Here’s to a successful start to the new year!
published Friday, December 20, 2024
