Sixth Graders Learn about Environment at Corps Site

Vicksburg, Miss… A group of about 250 sixth graders from Lakeside Middle School, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is being afforded the opportunity to enjoy a day of fun and learning at one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ recreational sites. The students will take a field trip on April 11 to the Avery Recreation Area, with events beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Corps personnel will brief the students on water safety, species of snakes of Arkansas, and nature hike programs, and afterwards, a picnic lunch before returning to school.

Avery Recreation Area is a day use area adjacent to Blakely Mountain Dam at Lake Ouachita. The recreational area includes a pavilion, an interpretive trail, a hiking trail, an amphitheater, and a large open field conducive to outdoor sports.

As one of the community’s leading technical organizations, the Vicksburg District traditionally supports local and surrounding educational institutions through the varied expertise of our diverse workforce. The District’s involvement in local and surrounding schools is critical to the success of our educational systems and our success in building our future workforce. The Corps’ involvement with students helps to build the necessary skills of our future leaders, and introduces many students and educators to the Corps for the first time.

The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. The Arkansas lakes not only provide flood risk reduction, but also contribute approximately $33.15 million into the local economy with approximately 31 million visitors each year. Information on Corps lakes and recreational areas can be found on the Vicksburg District Operations Division’s website. http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.aspx

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