Lake County promoting tourism with a 'Kids Blog' art section on Web site
Young? Very. Inexperienced? Indeed. Ready and willing to help out? You bet.
The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau has tapped a new resource in the campaign for local tourism: the marketing skills of elementary school children.
The new "Kids Blog" featured on the Visitors Bureau's Web site promotes Lake County events and destinations from the unique and colorful perspective of kids.
This past year, Karen Seveska's fourth-grade class at Oak Grove School in Green Oaks and Ellyce Baynes' fifth-grade class at Woodland Intermediate School in Gurnee toured fun places in Lake County and created blog entries with drawings to promote their discoveries.
"It gives the kids an opportunity to show how they can make a positive impact in the community," said Anthony Haag, marketing manager for the visitors bureau. "They were excited to see their writing on the Internet and say, 'It's mine and it's out there.'"
Recent entries feature Long Grove, Independence Grove and Ravinia, to name a few.
Jayne M. of Oak Grove School wrote, "I can recall a time when I visited Ravinia with my best friend. As we walked down the path, we picked berries of different shades. When we arrived, Ravinia was in full bloom. There were more flowers than anybody could ever imagine displayed in mini-stone surrounded gardens. We entered a huge building and watched graceful dancers. Coming to Ravinia will be a memorable experience, so come and join the fun."
Baynes said the Kids Blog helped her students realize the importance of good writing techniques, thought by many to belong to a bygone era.
"Kids these days are so concerned with the computer that they are missing the basics on writing and how to communicate their thoughts clearly," she said. "This blog proves that kids can do more than sit in front of their TV and video games."
Seveska explained to her students how their work could help the local economy.
"I had a couple of students whose parents are out of a job and they understand that the economy is struggling," she said. "I told them that the more you guys can encourage families to come to Lake County and do something fun, the more financial growth you can bring to our area."
Oak Grove Superintendent Janice Matthews said writing on the World Wide Web brought the best work out of Seveska's students.
"It's an advantage whenever kids can have an audience to their writing other than mom and dad," Matthews said. "The whole world will see this - I believe that gives children more motivation to do their very best work."
To check out the blog, visit www.lakecounty.org/kids-blog/index.htm.