The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners hosted approximately 160 students from Cypress Elementary School during a special field trip on Thursday, April 27, 2017.  The students took part in a day of hands-on interaction with various Pasco County Government departments and got to experience their local leaders in action.

“Nurturing the minds of future leaders in our own community is so important for the future of all Pasco County citizens,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells, greeted the students at the West Pasco Government Center.  “I’m look forward to talking with these bright young individuals and giving them an idea about how their County Government works.”

“I appreciate that the Pasco County Commission is giving young students a hands-on civics lesson and showing them first-hand how our local government works,” said Pasco Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning.

Led by Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, the students enjoyed a diverse and exciting schedule, encouraging them to explore various hands-on learning stations.

Activities included presentations from several Pasco County Public Services departments including: Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources, Libraries, Animal Services, and the Cooperative Extension Division.  The Office of Tourism and the Pasco County Utilities Department of Recycling also showed students what they do.

Children were given the opportunity to learn everything from how their County Government serves their community to how they, as future leaders, can have an impact on the community – as an activist, librarian, utility worker – or even a future County Commissioner.

This is the second year the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners has hosted schoolchildren for a field trip to inspire a future generation of leaders and hometown advocates.