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Educational Programs

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Children Learning and Planting

Associate Board Member Program

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Associate Board Member Program Group

The Associate Board Member (or ABM) program was designed to give Cobb County students (High School Juniors and Seniors or those attending a college located in Cobb County) the opportunity to learn the benefits of working with a non-profit organization entrusted to educate, beautify and enhance our community.  This program allows students to participate at a higher level within a community organization, help with our various events and assist volunteers in making positive impacts within Cobb County.  These benefits translate to school-wide opportunities, building community service hours and are an excellent highlight on their college resume.  Most importantly, you will have fun!

Because of the level of commitment, we are not always looking for the class leaders or those involved with several clubs or organizations.  As an ABM, you will be required to attend Board meetings, participate in various committees, volunteer and help run KCB events, and complete a project related to our Mission.  As an ABM you will also be invited to represent KCB at luncheons and ceremonies.  ABMs will be involved with outreach to local civic groups and schools and have the opportunity for college scholarships.

Selection into the Associate Board Member program is based on the following:

  • A current Cobb County resident and student (High School Junior or Senior or attend a College in Cobb County)
  • At least 16 years old at the time of application
  • Have an active interest in environmental or community service
  • The ability to commit to KCB and earn a minimum of 35 hours
  • Ability to commit for the duration of your term (January-May)
  • Ability to interact with local politicians, legislators or other community leaders
  • Ability to represent Keep Cobb Beautiful at public functions
  • Not be affiliated with any radical, anarchist or militant organizations or hate groups

To be considered, please complete the below application, and submit it to our office no later than 8:00 pm on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Download an application

Dig'n the Dirt Program

 

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Dig n' the Dirt Program Garden

“When you choose to plant a garden with children, the world is on track to becoming a healthier place.”
– Elicia Fritsch, Dig’n the Dirt Founder

Today’s youths are spending more and more time indoors, causing a disconnection from the natural world.  This decrease in outdoor activity has contributed to an increase in diseases like obesity and juvenile diabetes, social dysfunction, and behavioral issues.

Our Cobb County Green School Educators agree that their time is better spent teaching your student(s) in an engaging, interactive environment.  One solution?  Get them into the garden! 

Garden programs provide a dynamic environment where children can learn and play at the same time.  They experiment, discover, gain confidence, build self-esteem, and gain an appreciation for the amount of work required to bring food to the table.

The purpose of the Dig’n the Dirt Program includes:

  • Providing opportunities to children through school gardens to experience and study nature.
  • Teaching students how to grow and appreciate fruits, vegetables and flowers.
  • Connecting the relationships between math, science and the food children eat through gardening.
  • Overcoming nature-deficit disorders with just a few hours of wonder in the garden.

Forms

Update Mandatory Reporting Form

School Presentations

The Trash You Make

 30 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

This lesson is about the volume of trash each of us generates in a day and where it goes once it’s thrown away.  By going through the day in the life of one of their peers to see how much garbage can be made, the students then determine whether or not the trash can be reduced, reused, recycled or disposed of in a landfill.

Recommended for Grades K-5

The Living Landfill

20 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

This lesson teaches students about the three R’s, the processing of trash, and the importance of reducing the amount of trash put in landfills.  The students become a landfill and determine what really belongs in a landfill and what can be reused or recycled.

Recommended for Grades K-2

The Great Trash Relay

15 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

This game teaches students how to distinguish between trash and recyclable materials.  After a short lesson on trash, where it goes and the three R’s, students are split into two relay teams.  Each member of the team must pick up a piece of trash that has been scattered on the floor and determine if it should be thrown away or recycled.  This game should be held in a large outdoor area or in the school’s gymnasium.

Recommended for Grades K-5

Three R’s for Saul

15 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

This educational DVD explains the benefits of recycling to an otherwise disinterested 1st grader.  Presented in a version of “A Christmas Carol”, Saul is visited by 3 friendly students that magically transport him to a Classroom, Transfer Station, Landfill and Recycle Center by touching a piece of used paper.  Saul learns a great lesson and has fun along the way.  This video is accompanied by a workbook and usually is presented in conjunction with The Trash You Make lesson.

Recommended for Grades 3-5

Environmental Story Time

30 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

Several different books with related stories about recycling and environmental accountability are chosen to read to the students.  The stories read correlate with the age of the students.  Examples of titles are “The Day the Trash Came Out to Play” and “The Wartville Wizard?”  After the story is read, there is a short discussion on the story’s topic.

Recommended for Grades K-1

To Compost or Not to Compost

40 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

This lesson teaches about composting.  Focusing on common foods, students are taught what can and cannot be put into a compost pile and why composting is important.

Recommended for Grades K-2

Summer Reading Program

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Summer Reading Program Kid

30 minutes; maximum class size – (40 students)

Looking for a cool place to teacher your little ones about environmental stewardship during the summer?

Spend some time with Keep Cobb Beautiful at your local Cobb County Library**!  Several different books with related stories about recycling and environmental responsibility are selected to read to the children trying to beat the summer heat while having a little fun and learning something new.  The stories read correlate with the age group.  Examples of titles are “Recycle That!” and “Where does the Garbage Go?”  After story time, there is a short discussion on the tale’s topic.  Additional activities such as, Saul’s 3 R’s (DVD), the Recyclables Relay, and coloring activities are conducted (time permitting).

Recommended for Grades K-2

Please check with your local library for scheduled KCB appearances.