Hosted by the Watersmith Guild and Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC), in partnership with TRAILS Ministries and the Beaver Falls Film Festival, the Summit will take place April 22–23, 2026, at TRAILS Ministries.
The experience culminates at the Beaver Falls Film Festival on April 24–25, where students will engage with environmental films and see their own stories reflected on screen, including a documentary in which they are featured.
Designed for youth in an environmental justice community, the Summit will immerse participants in hands-on workshops exploring local air and water quality, environmental health, and the systems that shape environmental decision-making.
Through interactive learning, students will gain a deeper understanding of how environmental data is collected and used, and how that knowledge can inform action in their own communities.
“TRAILS Ministries is proud to support programming that meets young people where they are while helping them build meaningful skills for the future,” said Beth Dewhurst, D.O.V.E. program coordinator of TRAILS Ministries. “Through the D.O.V.E. program, we focus on growth, opportunity, and hope. This partnership brings those values to life by connecting youth to real-world challenges and empowering them to see themselves as leaders in their communities.”
The D.O.V.E. (Diversion Occupation Vocation Education) program serves youth ages 12–21 through academic support, workforce development, and life skills programming.
By integrating environmental education into this framework, the collaboration creates new opportunities for engagement, skill-building, and long-term impact.
The initiative also marks the pilot launch of BCMAC’s Lending Lab, a new citizen science tool-lending program funded by Break Free From Plastic.
Through the Lending Lab, youth gain hands-on access to tools such as air quality monitors, water testing kits, thermal cameras, and sound meters, enabling them to investigate environmental conditions in their own neighborhoods and translate those findings into community-rooted insights.
“This work is about more than education—it’s about power,” said Hilary Starcher-O’Toole, executive director of (BCMAC). “We are making sure that young people in Beaver County have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to understand what is happening in their environment and how to advocate for their health, their communities, and their future.”
Following its pilot year in 2026, BCMAC plans to expand the Lending Lab by rotating it among libraries, youth programs, and community organizations across Beaver County, with a focus on reaching environmental justice communities.
Storytelling is a central pillar of the Summit.
With guidance from the Watersmith Guild, students will explore how environmental experiences and data can be transformed into compelling narratives through film, media, and creative expression, bridging science with storytelling to deepen understanding and engagement.
“We believe storytelling and science go hand in hand,” said Ian Smith, executive director of the Watersmith Guild. “Through First Waves, we help young people connect to their environment, understand their local watersheds, and use creative media to share stories that inspire action, stewardship, and a deeper sense of place.”
These themes will extend into the Beaver Falls Film Festival, where participants and community members alike will engage with environmental storytelling in a broader public setting.
“The Beaver Falls Film Festival exists to create space for meaningful stories that reflect the experiences of our communities,” said Joline Pinto Atkins, festival director of the Beaver Falls Film Festival. “Partnering with this Summit allows us to uplift youth voices and highlight how storytelling can spark conversation, strengthen connection, and inspire change.”
Visit the First Waves Beaver County Earth Week Student Summit webpage for more information.
[Posted: March 30, 2026] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment