The school year is well underway and our campers are comfortably immersed back in their every day, 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!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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