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WILDERNESS CONNECTIONS Benefits of Nature John Beard I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more. I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more. - John Burroughs - John Burroughs
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Purpose of Education Educate the whole child academic social emotional citizenship earth stewards
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Rationale Students should gain an understanding and appreciation for the earth in which we live. Knowing how we as humans fit into the natural world will not happen intuitively. We cannot expect students to care about protecting and conserving the environment when they are not exposed to it. “[What is the] extinction of a condor to a child who has never seen a wren?” Naturalist Robert Michael Pyle
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Background – The De-naturing of Children Children spend most free time indoors Connection to nature suffers or is non- existent Lack of outdoor “free” play Clear link between childhood obesity and lack of outdoor play
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Environmental awareness – having a general understanding of the natural world in which we live and be conscious of the need to conserve its resources & be good stewards of the land. WHAT IS…..
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Description & Mission Wilderness Connections is an adventure- based program that features wilderness backpacking with lessons in regional history, geography, science, & environmental stewardship. Mission: connect students with nature through wilderness immersion experiences.
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Exactly what do we do? Take groups of ~15 students (boys & girls) to the Big South Fork for 3 days Students backpack on trails and cross country Groups of 4 – 5 build a shelter out of plastic Cook a group meal over a fire participate in fire guard pack up each day & travel to other sites and a new campsite
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Exactly what do we do? Visit original homesteads learn about early explorers, settlers, and Civil War history of the area Practice reading a topographic map & using a compass to “read” the land and navigate Learn natural history & geology by looking at & interacting with the environment
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Exactly what do we do? Discuss reasons for conserving our land & resources. Why is living green important? Students keep a daily journal of their experience Natural Novelty Night hikes / learning about sounds & vision (“deer ears”) Stories that teach a life application lesson
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Challenges & Benefits Work as a team to overcome obstacles (e.g. carrying the pack, building a shelter, gathering firewood, dealing with weather & 1 st –aid issues) Problem solve Leadership opportunities (group leaders) Pushing yourself physically, mentally, & emotionally Communicating effectively Self reliance & self confidence
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More Benefits Stress relief Restores attentional capacity of the brain (e.g. ability to focus) Therapy for ADHD, childhood depression & obesity May foster creativeness Better grades & test scores Emotionally/spiritually uplifting
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Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, And when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, Reminding us of a previous state of existence… The voice of nature is always encouraging. -- Henry David Thoreau -- Henry David Thoreau
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF JEFFERSON
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References Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods. Chapel Hill: Algonquin Books, 2005. Palmberg, Irmeli E., & kuru, Jari(2000). Outdoor Activities as a Basis for Environmental Responsibility. Journal of Environmental Education. 31, 32-39. Parrish, Deborah and Gabriele Phillips. Effects of Outdoor Education Programs for Children in California. American Institute for Research, 2005. Taylor, Andrea F, Kuo, Frances E, & Sullivan, William C (2001). Views of Nature and Self-Discipline: Evidence from Inner City Children. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 21, 1-14. Taylor, Andrea Faber, Frances E. Kuo (2004). A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence from a National Study. American Journal of Public Health. 94, 1580 – 1586.
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