From the textbook to the natural world

2,370 kids learned in the Classroom with Outdoors this spring

Columbia Basin, B.C. — How difficult is it to take more than 2,300 intermediate students on 106 field trips into the wetlands, grasslands and forests of the Columbia Basin? Not that difficult, says Monica Nissen, who co-ordinates Wildsight’s successful Classroom with Outdoors program, which has become very streamlined after eight years.

“Wildsight’s Classroom with Outdoors trips have been a great success again this spring,” said Nissen. “Teachers have appreciated our programs because they are fun and engaging for the students, while also providing valuable lessons in science and social studies. The students get hands-on learning about the natural world—in the natural world.”

Classroom with Outdoors is Wildsight’s award-winning environmental education program that takes Grade 4 to Grade 7 students into a natural ecosystem near their schools. They explore wetlands, grasslands and forests (including old growth forests) with experiential lessons and physical activities.

There is a specific Classroom with Outdoors program for each grade level that comes complete with learning resource materials for teachers. This way, the five-hour, curriculum-based field trips support concepts taught in the classroom while helping kids develop ecological literacy. Of course, all the programs are delivered by local, professional environmental educators—teachers, biologists and ecologists.

This spring, Wildsight’s Classroom with Outdoors reached 2,370 kids during 106 trips, which ran from late April through to the end of the school year all over the Columbia Basin.

“The program is wrapping up for this year,” Nissen said. “So we encourage parents to build on what their kids have learned and take their families outside this summer.“

Nissen expressed gratitude to the program sponsors and supporters: Columbia Basin Trust, the BC Gaming Commission, Nature Canada – Parks and People, Columbia Power Corporation, Shell Canada Foundation, BC Hydro, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Osprey Foundation and private donors.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support we’ve received from teachers, principals and parent volunteers who made this program a success again this year,” Nissan said.

As Curt Kutschera, a Grade 4 teacher at Twin Rivers School in Trail, put it: “Great job . . . taking learning from the textbook to the real world.”

Said Derek Lepsoe, a Grade 3/4 teacher at the Robson Community School in Robson: “Thank you Wildsight for actively promoting outdoor education!”

“Wow! What fun!” said Barb Streich, a Grade 5 teacher at McKim Middle School in Kimberley. “An excellent learning experience for our students.”

“These field trips give students the opportunity for hands-on learning about the natural world,” Nissen said. “Teachers appreciate these programs more than ever.”

“Learning about nature is one of the most basic elements of education. Reconnecting our children with our natural surroundings is what makes the Wildsight educational programs so valuable to children and parents in the Columbia Basin.” – David Suzuki

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Monica Nissen
Wildsight Education in the Wild Program Manager
250.352-6346
monica@wildsight.ca

Billy Page
Wildsight Outreach Coordinator
250.427.9325

www.wildsight.ca

About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.

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From the textbook to the natural world

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	From the textbook to the natural world Tweet 2,370 kids learned in the Classroom with Outdoors this spring Columbia Basin, B.C. — How difficult is it to take more than 2,300 intermediate students on 106 field trips into the wetlands, grasslands and forests of the Columbia Basin? Not that difficult, says Monica Nissen, who co-ordinates Wildsight’s successful Classroom with Outdoors program, which has become very streamlined after eight years. “Wildsight’s Classroom with Outdoors trips have been a great success again this spring,” said Nissen. “Teachers have appreciated our programs because they are fun and engaging for the students, while also providing valuable lessons in science and social studies. The students get hands-on learning about the natural world—in the natural world.” Classroom with Outdoors is Wildsight’s award-winning environmental education program that takes Grade 4 to Grade 7 students into a natural ecosystem near their schools. They explore wetlands, grasslands and forests (including old growth forests) with experiential lessons and physical activities. There is a specific Classroom with Outdoors program for each grade level that comes complete with learning resource materials for teachers. This way, the five-hour, curriculum-based field trips support concepts taught in the classroom while helping kids develop ecological literacy. Of course, all the programs are delivered by local, professional environmental educators—teachers, biologists and ecologists. This spring, Wildsight’s Classroom with Outdoors reached 2,370 kids during 106 trips, which ran from late April through to the end of the school year all over the Columbia Basin. “The program is wrapping up for this year,” Nissen said. “So we encourage parents to build on what their kids have learned and take their families outside this summer.“ Nissen expressed gratitude to the program sponsors and supporters: Columbia Basin Trust, the BC Gaming Commission, Nature Canada – Parks and People, Columbia Power Corporation, Shell Canada Foundation, BC Hydro, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Osprey Foundation and private donors. “I’d also like to acknowledge the support we’ve received from teachers, principals and parent volunteers who made this program a success again this year,” Nissan said. As Curt Kutschera, a Grade 4 teacher at Twin Rivers School in Trail, put it: “Great job . . . taking learning from the textbook to the real world.” Said Derek Lepsoe, a Grade 3/4 teacher at the Robson Community School in Robson: “Thank you Wildsight for actively promoting outdoor education!” “Wow! What fun!” said Barb Streich, a Grade 5 teacher at McKim Middle School in Kimberley. “An excellent learning experience for our students.” “These field trips give students the opportunity for hands-on learning about the natural world,” Nissen said. “Teachers appreciate these programs more than ever.” “Learning about nature is one of the most basic elements of education. Reconnecting our children with our natural surroundings is what makes the Wildsight educational programs so valuable to children and parents in the Columbia Basin.” – David Suzuki - 30 - Monica Nissen Wildsight Education in the Wild Program Manager 250.352-6346 monica@wildsight.ca Billy Page Wildsight Outreach Coordinator 250.427.9325 www.wildsight.ca About Wildsight Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.	Related Content 1,800 kids say “thank you” to sponsors Wildsight's Classroom with Outdoors Starts April 25 Beyond Recycling set to grow What a difference a decade makes Wildsight’s Winter Wonder A Winner!