Children's Water Festival

When you think about recycling and reusing, water usually isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Did you know that all the water that we have now, is all the water there ever was and all we will ever have?

That means, the glass of tap water that you're enjoying on a hot summer's day, is the same water enjoyed by a dinosaur millions of years ago. It's the same water your great-great grandmother used to make lemonade, and the same water your parents used to fill the splash pool in the backyard. It is also the same water you'll use to wash your vegetables when making a salad and the same water your children will use to make lemonade for their grandchildren.

Get the idea? This is why water conservation is so important to York Region.

Of all the available water on the planet, 97% of it is undrinkable salt water. That leaves just 3% fresh water.

However, of that 3%, only one per cent is truly accessible to us. While a glacier holds a lot of clean water, most countries simply do not have access to one.

York Children's Water Festival - A York Region Tradition

The York Children's Water Festival is a major component of York Region's Water For Tomorrow program and is a partnership between York Region and the Toronto And Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

What started in 1999 as a three-day, 1,000 student event has grown into a five-day, 5,000 student spectacular. Each year, the York Children's Water Festival team invites all Grade 4 York Region students to join us at Bruce's Mill Conservation Area near Stouffville for our annual May event.

Through approximately 50 interactive curriculum-linked activities, our students learn about water conservation, changing environmental attitudes, water and technology, water protection, water science and water stewardship - all in a hands-on, enjoyable way.

The mandate for the festival is to educate children on the value, importance vulnerability and globalism of water. Our goal is to develop awareness of the importance of a clean and plentiful water supply, foster a respect for a healthy environment and make a commitment to use natural resources wisely.

Local organizations also receive invitations to join the YCWF and lend their expertise and experience to our interactive displays. Over the years, we have welcomed Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), TRCA, Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation and Earth Rangers. 

York Region's high school students volunteer to guide our younger guests by presenting topics, guiding activities, interacting with the students and helping to pass along our environmental messages.