Environmental Education Always on the Mind

The school year is well underway and our campers are comfortably immersed back in their everyday, hometown lives. As youth developers, our goal is to have a positive impact on youth year round, not solely during the summer months while campers are in camp. So how can we ensure students are remaining active and developing important life skills? We can partner with the schools, of course!

Students interacting with a western hognose snake during Critters.

A majority of ACA accredited camps, Foley included, take pride in their partnership with schools throughout the United States. We partner with schools in Minnesota by way of our environmental education program. Check out Foley's program specifically! Environmental education is such an important and unique learning opportunity that gets kids out of the classroom to learn in a hands on setting. From learning how to light a fire using flint and steel to viewing wild animals in their natural setting, the depth of knowledge and experience gained is priceless. 

Students closely observing an adult beaver while canoeing
during Enviro Education at Foley. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which goes into effect during the 2017-2018 school year, sets the stage for more opportunities for schools to partner with camps and other organizations which allow for out-of-school time experiences. Classroom learning is obviously important, we just can't forget the importance our natural world has in our educational growth.

Take the time to explore that state park you drive by everyday, every moment spent outdoors can be beneficial!  

If you know of a school that may be interested in learning more about our program, email fun@campfoley.com.

Students testing our their lumberjack abilities during Woodskills.

"As the young spend less of their lives in natural surrounding, their senses narrow, physiologically and psychologically and this reduces the richness of human experience ... we NEED contact with nature." - Richard Louv

Living Room In The Woods

I recently read a great article written by Richard Dolesh which really highlighted the need for places for kids to play - "A Living Room In The Woods".

An outdoor living room, created by kids in Dayton, OH.

Dolesh tells us “A park manager from Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, OH, Todd Catchpole, recently told me about finding a secret nature place built by kids in one of their parks.” “The tableau was constructed from grape vines, stones, and other natural materials gathered from the nearby stream and populated by small dolls and toy furniture and decorated with fresh daffodils.”

Five Rivers MetroParks has designated a number of Nature Play areas in their parks, and this discovery was more than the creators could have wished for. “It was a delightful place, full of the imagination of children at play.”

This “Living Room in the Woods” highlights an important truth – the immense value of parks and places of recreation for kids. “Parks are one of the primary places that kids – and parents – can connect to nature and the outdoors. This got me thinking...this is also true of summer camps! Like parks, they’re a source of true nature and the perfect place where kids can play safe and learn. Summer camps offer a haven for children to explore the great outdoors, away from stranger dangers, and they offer an environment that is tailored towards their positive development. In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy to overlook this essential necessity that is so important to the growth of tomorrows leaders. 

- Ricky Searson, Assistant Director.