Pine Tree Elementary students received hands-on environmental education at YMCA’s Camp Seymour.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Sixth graders Jason Snow, Samantha Domingo and Amanda Elmer studied marine ecosystems, sea creatures and their impact on the environment, from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAt camp, you get to do things that you really can\u2019t learn in a classroom,” Snow said. “We got to learn how to boat, and we got to touch starfish with our hands.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The students said it was great to be outdoors, away from the classroom.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t even feel like you\u2019re learning because it\u2019s really interesting\u201d says Domingo.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Seymour occupies 180 acres and a shoreline on the Key Peninsula, 30 minutes from Tacoma.The education program introduces a variety of environmental topics, such as water quality and treatment, preserving the forest, understanding what lives in the Puget Sound and tips on how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
YMCA staff naturalists come from across the country to share their knowledge and enthusiasm when teaching classes. The program serves 8,000 participants from 96 different schools.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Students participated in classes emphasizing the importance of group work and what it entails.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cCooperating is so important because you\u2019re going to need to know how to work with other people in your life\u201d Snow said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Snow, Domingo and Elmer were just three of 68 students spending three nights and four days at Camp Seymour learning about the outdoors and their impact on our environment through the camp\u2019s education program, which enhances the Washington State Essential Learning Standards. Accompanied by volunteer chaperones, teachers and classmates, students participated in canoeing, the climbing wall, squid dissection and marine science.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cCo-op was a good learning opportunity, and it helped us to make friends and to open our minds to new ideas\u201d says Elmer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Students said after taking classes on sustainability and human impact on the environment, they are more aware of their personal influence on the earth.Snow and Domingo are both going to try to recycle more and try to use less plastic.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHands-on experiential education meets students\u2019 needs on so many levels,\u201d said Becca Gjertson, outdoor environmental education director. \u201cKids need opportunities to be and learn outside.”<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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