Senator Brubaker Promotes Environmental Awareness

Will participate, offer contests in the Great Green America Fest

EPHRATA – State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) will be joining in the Great Green America Fest to help the public learn about their planet and the action they can take to make it a cleaner and greener place to live.

In addition, Brubaker is offering several contests where young people will have a chance to share their thoughts about the Commonwealth and ways to improve the environment.

On July 14 and 15, Senator Brubaker will have a booth at the Great Green America Fest, which will take place on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at 2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim. The Fest is also open on July 13.

"The Great Green America Fest is a fun and educational way to spread the message about the importance of being environmentally friendly, and I am very happy to have the chance to be part of this event," Brubaker said.

Brubaker said he is providing contests to four age groups to engage young people and encourage them to give serious thought to ecology and the environment. The age groups and respective contests are as follows:

Ages 6 and under will have a picture entitled "Ballooning over Pennsylvania's Countryside" to color
Download Coloring Page
Ages 7 to 10 will have the opportunity to draw their favorite Pennsylvania place
Download Drawing Page
Two separate age groups, ages 11-14 and ages 15-18, can submit written responses to the following prompt: "Write a letter to Senator Brubaker describing your favorite place in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (on the Bay, on the river, on a creek or stream, in the forest, in the city, on a farm, in a park, in a wetland, etc.). Explain why this place is important, both to you and your community, and explain what can be done to protect it and keep it healthy." Answers must be typed and limited to 500 words or less.
Download Essay Page

Entries will be judged on originality and thoughtfulness, with prizes sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Two winners in each of the first two categories (ages 6 and under and ages 7-10) will receive an imprinting kit with rubber fish stamps, paints and t-shirts to create their own masterpieces.

One individual in each of the two essay contest categories will win a canoe trip for four on Sunday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; at least one of the individuals in the group of four must be an adult. The trip will be led by the Foundation's Susquehanna Watershed Education Program (SWEP) leaders, professional environmental educators committed to building watershed awareness through hands-on experience. SWEP has been taking students and teachers "to learn outside" on the rivers of Pennsylvania for nearly 18 years, and leaders are American Canoe Association (ACA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified.

The pictures for the coloring contest and entry forms for the drawing contest may be picked up at the Great Green America Fest. They may also be requested from Senator Brubaker's district office at 1248 W. Main Street, Ephrata, or by calling 738-1600 or toll-free 1-866-738-1601. Entry forms for the essay contest are also available, although essays do not need to be submitted on an entry form as long as they include the entrant's name, parent's names, age, address, phone number.

All entries must be received at the district office by the close of business on July 20. Entries may also be dropped off at the Senator's booth at the Great Green America Fest. Winners will be announced on July 27.

"I look forward to seeing what our young people have to say about their state and their environment, and I encourage everyone to attend the Great Green America Fest," Brubaker said.

Contact:

Jenn Frees, Legislative Assistant
717-738-1600