HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-10-02, Page 13Second Section - October 2 1996
Students learn the importance of ecology
By Chris Skatkos
T -A Reporter
PARKHILL. - The value of protecting our natural environment is a
lesson most young people learn in the classroom, but for 11 Stephen
Central Public School students, it's something they are experiencing
first-hand.
Teacher Missy Pfaff and her grade eight class took part in the
Sylvan Conservation Program (SCP) last week.
Coordinated by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority,
(ABCA) the conservation education program takes students into an
outdoor setting where they learn about the environment and gain
insight into the importance of preserving it.
The Program began in 1964 and is one of the first outdoor
education centres in Ontario that allows students to learn about the
value of conservation. SCP has become a long-standing tradition in
some local schools with many second -generation students attending.
Camp Sylvan is located on 112 hectares of property near Parkhill
and is owned by Scouts Canada, London District Council. The area is
leased on a user fee basis and the partnership between the ABCA and
Scouts Canada has existed since the program's inception.
Kate Monk, from the ABCA, said Camp Sylvan is an ideal location
because it straddles a transition zone between Carolinian and
Deciduous forests commonly found in this area. It also has a pond and
stream that harbor a wide variety of insects and amphibians. The
existing camp facilities makes it convenient for students to camp out
during their visit, allowing them to totally immerse themselves in the
environment 24 hours a day - learning, eating, playing and sleeping
outdoors.
"The program makes a big impression on the kids and for a lot of
them it's their first time sleeping outdoors," said Monk.
Camp coordinator Kristi Van Dongen said the students participate
in a number of activities such as a pond life and water quality study,
habitat improvement lessons, map orienteering, an eco -hike and a "go
wild" survival game. Local resource people are utilized to share their
knowledge in the expertise of wolf ecology, weather, Indian artifacts
and conservation trapping.
Van Dongen said the program develops an understanding of the
natural environment and fosters conservation ethics as students learn
ecological principles through hands-on direct experience. More
importantly, Van Dongen said the two and a half days the students
spend at Camp Sylvan awaken their enthusiasm and provides a direct
experience that encourages them to understand and appreciate positive
environmental actions.
"We try to spark their interest in natltre and make them more
curious so they want to learn more," she said. "Being out here makes
them realize how everything is related and how humans play a part in
that role."
Missy Pfaff said the experience in the field gives participants the
opportunity to use academic skills they have learned in the classroom.
For example, the stream study requires them to use quantitative
measurement and math skills as well daily journals exercise writing
and grammar abilities.
The students live in chuck wagons, eat meals together as a family
and everybody pitches in with the housekeeping. Pfaff said they are
required to share the responsibilities and as a result, ]earn valuable
social responsibilities.
'They're learning to cooperate together by doing the group work
and they're also gaining a sense of their own responsibility towards
looking out for the environment and getting a better understanding of
how it works," she explained.
Stephen Central principal Rob Snell agrees.
"The program is teaching kids the importance of ecology and how
everything (in nature) depends on one anothdr." said Snell. "I think
it's the best classroom there is."
Grade 8 students from Stephen Central School attended
the Sylvan Conservation Program last week. Back left,
Dean Brown, Rebecca Miller (junior leader), Eric Widdis,
Brent Hoffman, Carie Pertschy, teacher Missy Pfaff, Cal
deLange, Elisha Martene, Andrew Kinsman, Lindsey
Green and camp co-ordinator Kristi VanDongen. Front.
Jarrett Palen, Becky Grant and Brayden Lord.
At left, Jarrett Palen, Brayden Lord and Brent Hoffman
look for pond life while Kristi VanDongen looks on.
Since 1964, students have atter. , tvan Conservation Program to team about the environment. Your trip to
Comp Sylvan Is likely one of your . ; ' id school memorles.What stands out the most? Sleeping in the covered
wagons, discovering new animals in the forest or is it the games you played while in the forest?
There is a need for public donations to ensure that this outdoor education experience is maintained as an
environmental program of the Ausable-Bayfteld Conservation Authority for the benefit of school age children.
The Ausabie Bayfield Conservation Foundation has created a project called the Sylvan Trust Fund. The goal Is to
estabilsh a capital fund of $400,000, with the interest being used to operate the program. Donations made to the Trust
Fund are tax deductible. The Fund will be supervised by a Board of Directors.
This is the only Conservation Authority -operated residential education program In southwestern Ontario. Students from
London and Sarnia, and Mlddtesex, Huron, lambton and Perth counties attend the program for 2 1/2 or 1 1/2 days. The
students are immersed in the environment 24 hours a day - teaming, eating, playing and sleeping in the outdoors: This Is
an important part of the school year as it teaches students environmental issues such as conservation and the roles of
the wildlife, plants, etc. •
t �onsDervafian Foundation at (519) 235-2610.
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