Child’s Moon Tree inspired art
In 1971, NASA sent the Apollo 14 mission to the moon, a mission manned by three astronauts with 500 tree seeds.
Astronauts, like ordinary people, are multifaceted, and aeronautical engineer Stuart Roosa was not only obsessed with space, but also a lover of trees. Working with the U.S. Forest Service, he conducted an experiment that changed our national landscape. After orbiting the moon, the tree seeds were germinated and planted across the country.
Pennsylvania is home to eight of the Apollo 14 “Moon Trees,” and there’s one right here in central Pa. With just over 700 people having traveled to outer space, a 30-minute drive seemed worth it to visit an organism that has been outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
Located at Dillsburg Elementary School, the Moon Tree was planted through the joint efforts of then PA Department of Forest and Waters Forester Jack Winieski and then-Principal Larry Rhone. Winieski was known for his work engaging younger generations of foresters and had children in the Dillsburg school system during the time that Rhone was making strides to beautify the school campus. The two men met through community work and, together, they secured a Moon Tree sapling and planted it on Arbor Day 1983.
Since the Dillsburg Elementary Moon Tree grows on school grounds, the best time to visit is when school is not in session. The bonus to being considerate is that your family can use the playground post Moon Tree observance. The sycamore looks like any other tree, except the plaque that proclaims its history. It is surreal to see a 5-foot-wide tree and know that, 55 years ago, it was a quarter-inch seed hurtling through space at hundreds of miles an hour. Once you’re ready to play, there are slides, monkey bars and climbing apparatuses to enjoy. There’s also a grassy area, walking path and two baseball fields. The campus makes for a wonderful afternoon.
Paint the Sky
In the RadioLab podcast that introduced me to Moon Trees, the hosts polled kids on what they thought a Moon Tree would look like. Let imagination skyrocket by creating your own Moon Tree, starting with a stick. The stick will become your tree, so find one with twigs branching off the sides like boughs, then paint a galaxy scene on a piece of paper and be sure to include a moon in your sky. Once the paint is dry, glue the stick to the moon, then decorate your Moon Tree. Our Moon Tree hosts a treehouse for aliens with a UFO coming in for landing. Add sparkle to your art by gluing sequins for stars. This project is a fun mixed-media endeavor that engages kids’ imaginations in a big way and opens up discussions on the Earth and its solar system.
Star Students
Children can best reach for the stars when they are happy and well fed. Join an effort to ensure every child has access to food with Cocoa Packs. The Cocoa Packs organization was founded by Christine Drexler with the intent to provide supplemental food and support to local children to enhance their overall wellness. They pursue their vision of a world where all children have what they need to succeed in six counties here in central Pa., including Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Cumberland and York.
Cocoa Packs uses a method called food rescue or the practice of collecting fresh, edible food that would otherwise go to waste from restaurants and other food establishments. Food rescue is both effective and good for the environment as it gets food to those who need it while reducing waste. Cocoa Packs also offers clothing services where folks can donate or receive items. Additionally, the organization has lending libraries, computers, desks, creative stations and homework assistance.
People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to donate their time and talents. Students, scouts, churches, local businesses and other organizations can volunteer and assemble packs. Because of its accessible options, Cocoa Packs is a wonderful way to volunteer with your whole family. If your child could benefit from Cocoa Packs, check out their website to learn about enrollment.
Similar to the journey of a seed sprouting into a tree, each of our actions has an opportunity to become something greater. We see this reflected in the efforts of astronaut Stuart Roosa and Forester Jack Winieski, two people with an adoration for science who made an impact on forestry, each in their own way. We also see it in Christine Drexler, who noticed an issue and took action to help address it. We may see it most in how our children grow into their own individuals. Some live like shooting stars while others resemble meandering constellations. Together, we are building a future to share with those we love to the moon and back.
The Dillsburg Elementary Moon Tree is located at 202 S. Chestnut St., Dillsburg, to the right of the building.
To learn more about Cocoa Packs, go to www.CocoaPacks.org.
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