Many former Liberty-Curtin Elementary students will remember when the The Pennsylvania State Game Commission came to teach their classes about conservation efforts, and getting to build a birdhouse that they could take home.

For the first time at the newly constructed school, fourth-graders in Dr. Lana Weaver and Mrs. Prella Smith’s classes were able to experience the same event as so many before them.

Wes Burrows and Dennis Marasco have been spearheading the birdhouse project since around 1984, and have noted seeing an increase in the bluebird population.

“Over the years I think the bluebird population (has grown.) I see bluebirds that I can’t remember seeing when I first started,” said Burrows.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Dennis Marasco is shown helping a student construct a bluebird house.

“We’ve put a lot of boxes together to put out,” said Marasco, before joking, “I think (Wes) ought to be up for the Guiness World Record for building bluebird houses. I’m just the support staff to make sure he does it right.”

When the students entered the classroom, everything was ready to be constructed.

“It’s always been fun. The kids all seem to enjoy it — we’ve been doing it for many years. I think the parents enjoy it as much as the kids do,” said Burrows.

Pennsylvania State Game Wardens Cole Shomper and Jim Snook met with each fourth grade class to talk to them about the importance of their roles in regards to conservation, and how the students can make a difference in the preservation of a species.

“(We’re talking about) what the Game Commission does with bluebirds and what the purpose of the bluebird box is,” said Shomper.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Wes Burrows is shown giving tips and tricks on the bluebird house construction.

Shomper and Snook took turns presenting facts and information to the students in the form of a slideshow, which featured photos of the bluebirds, their ideal habitats and the foods they eat.

“We do a presentation so it’s not just a bluebird box, it’s also the background of how to help the bluebird,” Shomper continued.

Students were then encouraged to ask questions — many asked about bluebirds, or about their jobs as game wardens.

“It’s a good way for the kids to meet their local game warden and see what we do. We’re not just out there for hunters, we’re doing this kind of stuff too,” he said.

“The kids were great and the questions were good,” said Snook, “I’m happy to be here.”

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Steve and Katelyn Bechdel are pictured with their son Steve III and his completed birdhouse.

“They asked good questions — stuff that isn’t typical for kids this age to know. They seemed really involved, and it’s always good to hear questions from them,” said Shomper.

Above all, students got to make special memories with the ones they love.

Jill Shoemaker was one of the volunteers, and had been specifically asked to come by her nephew, Mason Wright.

“I was the chosen one,” she said, “I do a lot of carpentry work — build a lot of stuff, and they’re always helping.”

Robert Ream was another volunteer who came to help out his grandson, Enock. Though he has built birdhouses in the past, he’s never built any at an event like this.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Bill Miller and his daughter Katie are pictured with her completed birdhouse.

“I’m probably going to surprise him,” said Ream.

Ream also helped another student while helping Enock, Lily Kulakowski.

For some, coming to help their children build birdhouses was more than just a fun activity. For Josh Bechdel and Steve Bechdel, it was a way to recreate memories from their childhood with their own kids.

They’d been in both Burrows’ and Marasco’s classes when they were in school around 25 years ago.

“This brings back a lot of memories, it’s remarkable,” said Josh.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Pennsylvania State Game Wardens Cole Shomper and Jim Snook give a presentation to the students on Bluebirds, their conservation efforts and the care and maintenance of the bluebird houses they will be constructing.

“I loved seeing Dad come in. ‘Dad is here at school! We’re building stuff!’ So I’m sure (my son) is going to like that too,” said Steve.

Though she didn’t get to experience it when she was a kid, Steve’s wife Katelyn was excited to be invited back to help after helping their daughter Avery previously.

“We didn’t get to do this (in school). We came for our daughter two years ago. When (Steve) said about doing it again, I said absolutely,” said Katelyn.

The birdhouses themselves were relatively simple to construct — prearranged kits with predrilled holes to make it easy for the students to take charge with volunteer supervision and assistance.

The students crafted birdhouses with their volunteer helpers group by group — with one class constructing the birdhouses while the other listened to the Game Wardens’ presentation.

“Both of our fourth grade teachers do an amazing job reaching out to grandparents, guests and volunteers to make this happen every year. It’s a special event for our students — it’s a great learning opportunity for them,” said Principal Brett Umbenhour.

“To get Wes back — a former principal — it’s really neat,” He continued.

Students were able to take home their birdhouses at the end of the school day.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Dennis Marasco hands off a drill while helping students with their birdhouses.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Scott Willits and his son Kenny are pictured with a completed birdhouse.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Andrew Perkins and his son Kayden Baker are seen with a finished birdhouse.

BREANNA HANLEY/FOR THE EXPRESS Sarah Maggs and her son Matthew are pictured.