This a great example of an activity that could be used as therapeutic recreation and a way of helping the environment. When my family and I went to the zoo when I was younger there would be tons of animals made out of anything that could be recycled. The Recycled Zoo program put on by the Milwaukee County Zoo was a very popular program a few years ago that featured all kinds of animals made out of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, garbage bags, card board, basically anything that one could recycle. This can challenge the population that you are working with to come up with something creative but also teach them about recycling and taking care of the environment. The program isn't going on any longer which I think is a real shame because it was a really interesting addition to the zoo. It was great to see all the different animals and what people used to create them with. Working with recycled materials would allow a CTRS to discuss with their clients how something old and used can be transformed into something fabulous. The different shapes, textures, and colors can aid in sensory stimulations. Finally once the animals are created you can educate about animals at the zoo as far as different habitats, those that are extinct and specific information about each species. This project not only is great for all ages but it also can be safe. I couldn't find much about it on line since it was so many years ago but I got some other pictures that were similar to what was throughout the zoo.
For facilitating this activity I would talk to my participants prior to the activity date I would send out a hand out or post filers describing the activity and the type of recycled items that could be used and encourage them to bring in their own recycled items as well as from their neighbors or friends. This will get them out into the community and learn about how important recycling is. To make sure that I have enough materials for everyone I would have people sign up for the activity so I know how many extra materials I need and how many rolls of duck or packaging tape I need. I would make sure though that I collected enough extra bottles, cans, and other various glass, plastic, or cardboard items in case people did not bring enough. On the day of the project I would break people up into groups so that we have a variety of different animals and everyone's creativity would get to be utilized. Depending on the program and how much time we have whether it is a couple of hours or multiple days I would debrief at the very end of the project discussing how people worked together as a team to accomplish their animal. Also each day of the project I would discuss why recycling is important.
Things to consider would be the population I would be working with. Personally I think this would be best for kids to young teens and their parents to work on something together, maybe not much with an elderly population because of mobility issues. Therefore I think at risk youth, kids with autism or cognitive disabilities would be best for this project because they can show their creativity and also learn about the environment. Especially for kids with autism this activity is excellent sensory stimulation due to all of the various colors, shapes, and textures. In order for the activity to run smoothly I would have to make the groups of people are appropriate taking into consideration everyone's individual needs and also make sure they have transportation to and from the facility we would be working at.
For facilitating this activity I would talk to my participants prior to the activity date I would send out a hand out or post filers describing the activity and the type of recycled items that could be used and encourage them to bring in their own recycled items as well as from their neighbors or friends. This will get them out into the community and learn about how important recycling is. To make sure that I have enough materials for everyone I would have people sign up for the activity so I know how many extra materials I need and how many rolls of duck or packaging tape I need. I would make sure though that I collected enough extra bottles, cans, and other various glass, plastic, or cardboard items in case people did not bring enough. On the day of the project I would break people up into groups so that we have a variety of different animals and everyone's creativity would get to be utilized. Depending on the program and how much time we have whether it is a couple of hours or multiple days I would debrief at the very end of the project discussing how people worked together as a team to accomplish their animal. Also each day of the project I would discuss why recycling is important.
Things to consider would be the population I would be working with. Personally I think this would be best for kids to young teens and their parents to work on something together, maybe not much with an elderly population because of mobility issues. Therefore I think at risk youth, kids with autism or cognitive disabilities would be best for this project because they can show their creativity and also learn about the environment. Especially for kids with autism this activity is excellent sensory stimulation due to all of the various colors, shapes, and textures. In order for the activity to run smoothly I would have to make the groups of people are appropriate taking into consideration everyone's individual needs and also make sure they have transportation to and from the facility we would be working at.
The Recycled Zoo program (1995-2004), which was sponsored by Miller Brewing Company (now called MillerCoors), invited youth groups to work in teams to create animal-themed sculptures and artwork out of recycled materials. Their projects were displayed at the Zoo.
Students create and show off animal art made of recycled materials. The artworks were part of the Zoological Society’s annual Recycled Zoo program. |
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