Eastern Kentucky residents endured severe flooding in late July as a result of rainfall rates that reached more than four inches per hour in certain parts of the region, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding at the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability severely damaged several of the center’s structures. However, some normalcy returned as the center hosted RCARS Youth Days in late September. 

The week began with Youth Science Day which consisted of nine stations covering a variety of topics such as beekeeping, equine safety, backyard birds and wildlife pelts, followed by Pumpkin Days later in the week. 

“The flood was a devastating and terrible time for everyone in this area,” said Daniel Wilson, director of RCARS and UK Cooperative Extension’s east region. “Everyone wants to get back to something normal, and we wanted to let the kids just have a fun day here at the center with these educational opportunities and a wagon ride.” 

While many Eastern Kentuckians struggle to cope with the damage and get their lives back on track, children from the area were able to put some of their problems behind them, at least for a short while. 

“I think it’s little things like these field days that can really help these kids,” said Maelyn Huff, Lawrence County 4-H youth development extension agent in, who taught equestrian safety at the event. “It’s also things like this that will get youth interested in what they might want to do for a career. There are so many topics being discussed and so many niches that children might not necessarily know about. This week has been great for multiple reasons.” 

Overall, more than 1,200 students, kindergarten through 12th grade, participated in the week’s events. 

“I am so happy we get to offer this to these Eastern Kentucky students,” said Chuck Stamper, extension special projects coordinator. “We wanted to make sure we gave these students an opportunity to take part in a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Many buildings, such as the program office and the labs, were severely hit, and we are glad to be returning to some kind of normalcy.” 

Pumpkin Days offered 14 stations for students, including one with 10 different pumpkin recipe tastings and stories, a station for games, hayrides and a tour of the pumpkin patch where they met pumpkin producers and learned how farmers grow pumpkins. In addition, each student picked their own pumpkin to take home. 

“As a group, we were so pleased to offer so many interactive stations for the kids and from what we heard from teachers, their students had a blast,” said Lisa Radschweit, Campton Elementary School teacher. “It was such a wonderful opportunity. My kids loved the activities.” 

Wilson said he was glad to have a week where everything was routine again. 

“It feels great just to see the campus lit up with people and kids,” he said. “These floods have been pretty emotional for many people, and it feels great to have a few things back to normal.”