The Ground to Sound Challenge Camp has been taking place at the Brightwater Environmental Center this week. The event is produced by the Friends of the Hidden River.

Fifth through seventh graders from Monroe, Bothell and Woodinville have spent seven hours everyday learning about and analyzing the environment. They have been collecting data on soil quality as well as water quality to find problems with the ecosystem around the area and have concluded how this affects humans and the ecosystem.

They have also received a chance to become ecological surveyors, taking out invasive species and planting native species where the ecosystem needs more balance.

Identifying the plants of the Pacific Northwest and learning about macro invertebrates have been fun challenges for them, too,” said Jessi Howe, an intern with the Ground to Sound Challenge Camp. “The kids make an iMovie everyday about what they have discovered, and love to get the creative juices flowing.”

The staff is made of teachers from the area along with two high school interns.

“Next, the interns guide the four mentors in middle school, who guide the kids,” said Howe. “Everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher, and every generation is involved so that we can all be helping our environment.”

In addition to the challenges, the kids have had a tour of the Brighwater Treatment Plant to see the lengthy task of cleaning dirty water. Each knows that humans interrupt the natural water cycle, of which they have built models.

“They have been inspired to flush less and to watch what they put down the drain,” said Howe. “All in all, they have been having fun singing songs and getting down and dirty with nature.”