Charleston’s Kids Mobilize for a Cleaner Future with Clara’s Kids Club

Charleston Takes Action: Kids Lead the Charge in Keeping Our City Clean

Charleston, S.C. is buzzing with excitement as a local organization takes things into their own hands to help keep the city litter-free. Their approach? Involving the youth of our community! Keep Charleston Beautiful is all about litter cleanup, beautification, and education, and they’ve taken a fun and impactful step by launching a program dedicated to the little ones called Clara’s Kids Club.

Engaging the Next Generation

Since its inception in April 2023, Clara’s Kids Club has made a significant mark on the Charleston community. The idea behind the program is simple yet powerful: children aged from kindergarten to sixth grade can get together to clean up parks around the city. Each cleaning event features a special guest—Clara the pelican mascot—who helps spread the word about the environment and the importance of keeping our beaches and parks clean.

The kickoff event was such a success that more than 40 enthusiastic volunteers showed up to lend a hand. Why stop there? The initiative continued throughout the year with a total of 25 litter cleanups! Collectively, the kiddos, along with their families, gathered an impressive 651 pounds of litter. Talk about a team effort!

Celebrating Success

Thanks to their hard work and dedication, Clara’s Kids Club has recently been awarded the prestigious Program of the Year for 2024 from Keep South Carolina Beautiful. Taylor Simkins, the education coordinator behind this wonderful initiative, is brimming with pride. “Tiny hands, big impact” is their motto, and it perfectly encapsulates how these kids are making a significant difference in their environment.

Simkins enthuses that the program not only teaches the youth about litter and environmental stewardship but encourages many volunteers to take matters into their own hands. It’s not uncommon for children to come back and tell her how they are cleaning up litter in their neighborhoods even outside organized events! “On the way home, they’re picking up litter, and they always want to carry a trash bag,” Simkins explains. This community spirit is contagious!

Broader Benefits

But wait, there’s more! The benefits of this club are two-fold. Not only does it enhance the environment, but it also promotes mental and physical well-being in children. By participating, kids connect with nature and discover like-minded peers who want to make a difference. Simkins highlights how this program is about more than just cleaning up: it’s about instilling values at an early age.

“Starting them younger allows them to think differently about their impact,” she says. “They’re really absorbing the information and wanting to create a change.” The hope is that these lessons will stick with them for years to come, transforming Charleston into an even cleaner place to live.

Join in the Fun!

If you think this sounds like a great cause, you’re in luck! Clara’s Kids Club opens its arms to volunteers of all ages. All that’s needed is a quick online sign-up to ensure that everyone has the materials needed for the cleanups. Keep Charleston Beautiful provides volunteers with vests, gloves, grabbers, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, water, clipboards, and even a scale to measure the litter collected.

Speaking of which, don’t miss out on the next cleanup event happening at Hampton Park from 5:30 to 6:30 PM on Monday! Note that only four cleanups remain for the year, so now’s the perfect time to jump in and lend a hand!

Charleston is proving that when it comes to making a difference, even the tiniest hands can have a huge impact. So, gather your family, grab your trash bags and help ensure that Charleston remains a beautiful place for generations to come!