Deepening Our Relationship with the Natural World
Learning and exploring outside of the classroom is the focus of the new Outdoor Adventure Club being offered after school by 4th/5th grade teacher Brian Boyce.
Image above: Upper grade students walk along the headwaters of Arana Gulch Creek in the lower portion of the Chaminade Trails.
As part of the SAGE Programming at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, all upper grade students now have the opportunity to enjoy daily hikes among the redwoods on the trails located behind the SCG campus. Throughout each eight week session, explorations include learning to identify native plants and animals, bird identification, fungus forays, creek walks, mindful moments, and even engineering challenges. Students also learn from their peers by accessing the recently published Chaminade Trail Guides, a series of student-written articles and activities now available on the Chaminade Trail. Each weekly challenge culminates in students hand making “Specialist Badges” to sport their new knowledge
Above: the first session Outdoor Adventure Club sporting their “Shipwright Specialist” badges.
“This class offers an opportunity I know many of us adults wish we had when we were kids. Hiking in the forest is an opportunity for our youth to deepen their relationship with the flora and fauna we all live amongst.” Mr. Boyce said. “We are excited to offer a less structured learning environment where students can build confidence in themselves through the lens of strengthening their environmental identity.”
The Outdoor Adventure Club is a free after school ELOP class (Expanding Learning Opportunities Program) offered Monday through Thursday from 3:10-4:10 to third through fifth grade students. While it is fully enrolled for current session, it will be offered every session for the rest of the school year. Next session begins December 2nd.
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