The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is launching a new educational program in October to teach kids about CROW’s mission and the importance of peacefully coexisting with our wildlife neighbors.

Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 8, CROW is inviting local Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops and 4-H clubs to its Healing Winds Visitor Education Center for the first Fun Patch Series. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the facility and participate in hands-on, interactive activities, from building an animal rescue box to observing gopher tortoise grazing. At the end of each workshop, participants will receive a “fun patch” to mark the completion of the program.

CROW’s Education Committee has scheduled 10 Fun Patch Series dates for organizations to choose from. Girl Scout Troop 228 has booked the first presentation on Oct. 8.

Other workshop dates include Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and 19, Dec. 3 and 17, Jan. 7 and 21 as well as Feb. 4 and 18.

Education Committee co-chairs Lynn Ridlehoover and Bev Ball invite groups comfortable with a fourth grade level presentation to schedule their Fun Patch Series workshop as soon as possible.

“As former Girl Scouts and campers, Bev and I realize how very important it is for young people to acquire knowledge that gives them confidence in many different situations,” Ridlehoover said.

Presentations will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Healing Winds Visitor Education Center, located at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road on Sanibel.

To learn more about CROW, visit www.crowclinic.org.