Camp Huntington-Day 4

There are some things that cannot be replaicated in the classroom, and should be integrated into instruction as it is important to the experiential learning process, and that is ADVENTURE!! Yes, there is much of the classroom that is excitin, but adventure pushes the boundaries of what students think that learning is, into an experience that is more memorable and life changing. Think about it, in 10, 20, 30years, a student will not be able to remember what spelling word was wrong on a test, but they will remember going outside, and getting their hands dirty at a ropes course, or a scavenger hunt, or interschaolastic activity.

Experiences are things that we relate to and remember. The things that I remember about my educational experiences are seldom the experiences that were in the classroom, but those experiences that brought me outside, and gave me meaningful experiences that I keep with me, and think of often. This week, is one of those educational experiences.

While we cant have adventures every day, we can look to make education experiences memorable.

Camp Huntington-Day 4

There is so much that we take for granted as we make an experience for children in a given area. Meaning that if we live in one place, there are things that we expect to see, and that should be as it is.

A place that was beyond my wildest expectations was the WildCenter at Tupper Lake. The exhibits there were incredible and a real resource and a natural connection with the natural world. I was fond of the hands-on exhibits that are available. Not only is this fun, but it is real, and realtable to kids of all ages. This is fun, and incorporates learning that is appealing and fun. Thinking about the preparation and education that these professionals use to make these exhibits as wonderful as they are is great.

using local resources and the Adirondacks is a great thing that the Wild Center does so well and the opportunities that are available through museums and local resources is something that we might either not know about or not think about using it, and take this resource for granted.

Another intriguing thing was how adament that the staff at the Wildcenter was to continue with their learning and eagerly connecting with partnerships with classrooms in their area. The important job that educators that are not in the classroom is an important one that classroom teachers need to be aware of. They can offer the opportunities to take the resources and knowledge that they are very passionate about and help kids to connect with a greater community and make a real difference for the world. Opportunity knocks..... who will open the door. Not every opportunity looks as appealing as the Wild Center, but can be at least as rewarding. Don't take it for granted. If you don't use these wonderful resources, they may not be there in another year when you might like to use them.

Day 3 Take two

Challenge. The thought of bringing kids into the natural world, there are challenges that lie within the activity. When hiking today, it was challenging to try and stay with the group while trying to look at the natural wonders and learning opportunities through the activity. Meaning that some of us were so busy walking and trying to physically move through the forest, we were missing the important parts of why we are taking the hike. By concentrating on going through the motions of doing the activity, we are often missing the point of what we do. This is something that I am guilty of, and I am challenged to think about the activities that I organize and what the outcome really is.
I think that that I need to think more about the presentation that John Slade gave to us tonight.

I was intrigued with the Activity that Ed brought with the writing activity. The activity made us sit down, think and be absent from distraction to be in touch with nature, and write what it is seen, heard, and sensed. There is nothing that is wrong, it is just expression. Through free expression can breed confidence, and increased communication skills that can transfer throughout the curricula, and is a GREAT life skill. Wouldn’t it be great to have good communicators in class and in the community?

Camp Huntington-Day 3

Camp Huntington-Day 2

In talking about the goals and asperations that many of us have for this class, it is easy to see how the book Adirondack Green could be a dream of John Slade. While Slade's ideal that is spelled out in his book would be nearly impossible to put into practice, the thoughts that Slade had about connecting and creating community, along with embracing change for the greater good are things that more people need to look at.

It seems easy to do things the way that they have been done in the past, using the same methods, materials and ideas. The same thing is often comfortable and change is often risky and might have the chance of failure. Some have trouble with change, and embracing it with good spirits. Helping others to embrace positive change is a struggle that I have in my work, often over something that is seemingly simple and trivial. I am reminded that the change that we seek often has to be led, through an example and leadership. Often we, as people do not like to "go first", as we do not like to be in the center of attention if we fail. While failure stinks, it is through failure that learning happens, the true creation and science of "doing" takes place.

Back to Slade, we should think, and dream as those things help us in the creation of something that might be the perfect thing to inspire students and help them to care. Through our dreams and passion, others might take the risk to dare and dream as well. Through leadership, Your leadership, a spark may be lit in a child, that might change their world, and their perseception about the natural world that we are teaching about.

Something to think about...

Camp Huntington-Day One.

For all of you that are still in the modern world: I am here, and safe in the middle of nowhere.

On the note of being in the middle of nowhere, I am free from civilization, though I am in the midst of having my needs being more than met. I am one of the ground-breaking historical locations, and at the beginning of the rustic style. Meaning that we are staying in the place that is reflective of the artistry and the wealth that brought forth the development of the Adirondacks. The dedication, investment and natural artistry are incredible. Obviously, I am having electricity, we have running water, showers, and far more than I need here.

I also think that it is cool to be in a place where history happened, and someone created a materpiece, within God's masterpiece, the Adirondacks. Without the people that wanted to make the Adirondacks accessible, the Adirondacks would not be the place that it is today. It is humbling to be immersed in this groundbreaking place, and have the opportunity to learn and grow where great things have happened.

Some goals for this course would be to have the opportunity to discover resources and learning opportunities that I can share with the youth and the teachers that I work with in the realm of 4-H. Even though I am not in the classroom in the traditional sense, I am aware that the duties that I have are different from that of the traditional classroom teacher, but there are learning opportunities for kids, families and educators. I look forward to learning, growing, and connecting with other educators that I can learn more from.

Goodnight!

T minus 4 days!

It is exciting that we will be at Camp Huntington in just four days! I have been reading and preparing for the time that we will be together, and I am excited that we will be in the middle of nature and the peace, and rush that comes with it!


If there is anyone that might like to carpool to Racquette Lake that lives in the Cortland, Ithaca, Auburn area, let me know. I would love to save the toll on the environment. Let me know at mew235@cornell.edu

Thoughts about the initial questions

I really did not fully grasp all of the questions that we were supposed to answer in just one blog. With some time to digest some of the answers and get back to the heart of what I am doing here at SUNY Cortland.

The reasons why I got into teaching were to mainly make the educational experience a better one for kids. You see, I was a good student in school, but often slipped through the cracks as I was a quiet kid that really didn't stand out as brilliantly as many of the other kids did. I was not popular, athletic, the valedictorian or any of the great stereotypes. If Anything, I was a nerd that camolaged into the landscape to survive in the jungle of High School. I went unnoticed until my junior year, when my AP History teacher/track coach started encouraging me to try some new activities to get me out of my shell, with trips, and the opportunity to go to Outward Bound. Without such a person that took the time and cared enough to see me succeed and grow past the things that I expected of myself, I was able to have the self-confidence to go to college, and leave the familiar things behind and persue new horizons.

Because I was brought out of my shell and given the experiences that I had at Outward Bound, I was able to see education as more than just the campus of a school, and more of a life-long journey. I want kids and adults to understand that school is not the only place wherethey can learn and grow, and futher, that nature offers many lessons and experiences that schools just can't offer alone. Additionally, the personal and individual growth that happens outside of the classroom has merit, and is important in molding that person into the adult that they will become.

My goal is to be an educator that fosters the intrinsic drive to learn and grow. To be a resource to Youth and Families as they develop into mature young citizens. Through encouraging youth to learn, they are developing skills and interests that allows them to be discerning and life-long learners with the ability to make practical use of resources and data. This sense of curiosity and adventure should bring hope and discovery into a new generation of adults, and that is where I want to be, helping the new generation.

A Practical, yet important thing

In the interest of practicing what we are learning and teach, would anyone in the Cortland Area like to Carpool to Racquette Lake?? I think that it would be a good opportunity to be more environmentally conscious and get to know each other at the same time.

Let me know if this is something that might interest you!

Thanks

First Official Post

Hi Everyone,

I am Melissa Watkins, and I am a Graduate Recreation Major. I have my Bachelors in Social Studies Education and I am currently a 4-H Educator in Cayuga County. I am taking this course because I want to use the natural and local world as a resource for the Youth that are in 4-H and to help teachers in the local school districts to enhance their curricula through the resources and the tools that I have through 4-H and Cornell.

Personally, I love nature, and the outdoors, and it is only natural for me to take a class that would halpme to share many of the things that I love with Youth and with families. I have taken Oudoor and Wilderness Education classes in my undergrad, and Recreation classes in my Grad work. When I was a kid, I was often discouraged, and picked on by many because I like dirt, being outdoors and things that were natural. It took an experience in high School that made me understand that I was ok, and that loving nature was a good thing. I went to the Northwoods of Maine on a 21 Day Outward Bound Course, and it changed my life. I spent two summers as a wilderness trips counselor at a summer camp and shared nature with kids from age 6 to 16 . Most recently, I am in the establishment phase of bringing 4-H Shooting sports to Cayuga County and reaching out to schools, teachers and families as an educational resource through 4-H programming. Programs like 4-H have a role in supplementing the educational experience through experiential learning, connections with the community, and with the world around them.

Through 4-H, Kids have opportunities to explore things that interest them, and learn through intrinsic motivation, and the research that they take on voluntarily. As a result, youth can teach others through presentations, interview and other media because they are moved to share what they know with others. For me, this is rewarding, and an area of education that I find myself fitting into. To me, this is an area where I can help youth to use what they like, and are passionate about to do good things that will benefit the community. In a sense, I help youth to become an important part of the community, and the world.

This is a class that will help me to become a better educator and resource for teachers, youth and families. In addition, I am VERY excited to take this class.

Thoughts from Reading

When reading today, I think about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and how far removed many Americans are from the global disaster that is continuing there. Not only is it a sinful thing that humans are taking advantage of the resources and the life that the earth has, and think nothing of the consequences for the earth, it's life and ecosystems.



After reading Richard Louv's Last child in the Woods and some of the other readings that are on the reading list for the class, I am reminded of how important the work that educator do for kids, and hoe much they can help families to connect with nature and influence their thoughts, behaviors and their connectiveness with the natural world. Meaning that the information, skills, and example that the adult/instructor sets in terms of the earth and the natural world is contagious, and that young people are like sponges, and will be more likely to be a good steward and a fighter for the cause of the earth.

Getting back to the oil spill, that there needs to be a fundamental change and mobilization of the United States' people in terms of the cleaning and changing of the habits and usage of natural resources and the reliance on petroleum products. It will be the actions of people that love the natural world that will facilitate change. While the economy is going to be effected, the people that have the fundamental understanding of the earth, and truly care about the things that people do to the earth.

I truly believe that people need to take time away from technology, their cars, cell phones and the media and spend time at the local park, their back yard, or even walk in the forest. Look, listen, smell and feel the nature, free of the artificial and human technological influence around them. Make it a habit, know what nature really is, and then watch the news and try not to be connected to the ecosystem that is being destroyed in the Gulf of Mexico.

I may be on a rant, but the connections are apparent. Nature is not something that is in a park, in the mountains or in a book. It is all around us, and it is the responsibility of humans to become educated and proactive in keeping the earth safe.