New Kinder Skog program is hauling in Trash for Cash

At the ballfield on last Thursday's stupendously stormy day, a pack of elementary schoolers in Kinder Skog did their best with wet numb fingers to pick up trash and put it in plastic bags billowing in the wind.

All spring, Kinder Skog will be raising money by collecting trash as they spend time outside at their regular spots around town. Each skoggy is asking for personal sponsors, which can be individuals or businesses, with a suggested donation of $20 per bag.

"We are asking sponsors to sponsor per number of bags, but since we are asking for money up front, [we're] having people say 'I will sponsor the group to collect 5 bags at $20 per bag for a total of $100.' We do have a running total of bags collected going to keep folks updated as well," explained Katie Holmlund, Petersburg Medical Center Youth Programs Development and Advocacy Coordinator. The skoggy who gets the most sponsors will win a Litter Getter Prize, and there will be a grant match donation to double what the kids are able to raise. "Litter collected by Skog families outside of Skog time is totaled separately, but fun to keep track of. I don't think we will have an issue hitting our goal of 50 bags by the end of May." The money will go towards reducing Kinder Skog tuition. "Reducing barriers to enrollment is a top priority," said Holmlund. After a couple outings, the skoggies had already collected five bags of trash.

"No one else is going to do it," said Toni Norwich, one of the newer mentors on the Kinder Skog staff. She was the one to toss in the idea for the fundraiser. Since it's something skoggies have been doing for years, she thought why not get paid to do it. "Seeing little things and reaching into crannies is kids' specialty," she said.

"Some kids just want to pick up trash all day every day," Holmlund added.

Another thing that is a specialty of kids is finding dog poop, often with their boots. Last Thursday, Holmlund counted forty piles of Fido's fertilizer along the nature trail between the end of the boardwalk and 8th street. And she was just counting on one side. They do not ask the kids to pick that up. The kids do wear rubber gloves and use litter getters (mechanical grabbers), which are great for picking up cigarette butts and candy wrappers, but aren't designed for poop, especially since, "Most of it was partly melted," according to Holmlund.

Upon reaching the ballfield, mentors handed out jerseys to create litter getting teams. "Wanna rally back in half an hour or so and compare trash?" Holmlund asked.

"That seems like a long time," said Norwich.

When asked about the most interesting things they've found, kids seemed to be most intrigued by the most disgusting things. One had a core memory of a diaper, bulging with rainwater, that "Still had some stuff in it." Another had come across a partial set of human teeth, which turned out to be an old set of dentures.

One remembered, "The day we found a big metal thing at Grandma Jean's beach and brought it back to the den." When asked what it was, they said they didn't know.

Other kids were less interested in what exactly they found as much as just feeling good about what they're doing. "I think it's good for the planet," said one.

"Every piece we get helps the planet, and it's pretty fun," said another.

For another, picking up trash was the norm, saying, "My mom always picks up litter when we're out walking.

Minutes later, one skoggy, hugging a skeletal blueberry bush, reported that they were, "Just trying to not get blown away like a leaf."

"Look, how interesting this rock is!" yelled another over the wind.

"I found a part of a shoe!" replied another.

Kaili Watkins, seasoned Kinder Skog mentor, smiled and said, "We're like the postman, through rain and sleet and snow...to get the garbage!" Then she asked, "Did Katie tell you about the poop?" And she recalled an instance when she, "saw some trash and went to pick up, and it was obviously something a dog had eaten."

After very nearly half an hour of litter getting, the skoggies regrouped at the Alderwoods, the howling wind and rain helping to cover a few sobs and tears. Watkins announced, "You're all the best skoggies today. You might get some 'smile through a rainy day' pins." Norwich handed out stainless mugs of orange spice tea. Another newer mentor, Alyssa Eden, hugged and consoled the skoggies who were down in the dumps.

Glancing around, Holmlund asked, "Who would like to go to the den?" to muffled cheers. They marched back down the trail with buckets and bags of trash. It was hard to tell in the rain and fading light, but the place was definitely a little cleaner.

To become a Trash for Cash sponsor, talk to a skoggy or contact kholmlund@pmc-health.org