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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-05-26, Page 18Utter TiM, iite Wednesday. May 26,1999 Sylvan Conservation Program marks 35th anniversary By Kate MO.i . TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF BOSANQUET -- If you want to learn about cooking, you head to the kitehen. 1f you want to learn about cars, you - head tothe garage. If you want to learn about `the .environment, you head to the great outdoors. Por 35 years, students have been trav- eling to nature's classroom near Thedford for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's . Sylvan Conservation Program. The Sylvan program is the oldest resi- dential conservation education program in the province and is possible because of a unique partnership between the ABCA, Scouts Canada and schools in southwestern Ontario, - Co-ordinator Rob Ridley said the pro- gram focusing -on ecosystem conserva- tion meets the needs of educators and the conservation authority. The two -and -one-half day program is a "great lead -up or follow-up" to what students are learning in life sciences and can also tie in to several other subjects including math, art; language and geog- raphy. It has been adapted to 6t the new Gr. 5-8 curriculum. Students find it easier to learn about trees, soil, water and wildlife with the hands-on activities and by living in the ecosystem. Students stay on site for the entire program and are immersed in the Outdoors. Ridley says the .program: also commu- nicates 'the ABCA's conservation mes- sage to children. "We're getting out the idea of conser- vation. Few nature centres really teach -conservation," Ridley said. "We need to use _ our resources, just use them wisely. We're teaching Aldo Leopold, not John Muir." The Sylvan program focuses on the wise use of soil water, plants and wildlife with a sp 'cial focus on how ecosystem components interact. The 400 -acre property, owned by the London District of Scouts Canada, has coniferous and deciduous forests, streams, ponds and meadows. The facilities centred at Frontierland are based on a western theme. Children sleep in chuckwagons and eat in the Frontier House dining hall. Eleven classes will attend Camp Sylvan this May and June (up from seven last year) with several schools booked m for the fall session. "It's running well," Ridley said enthu- siastically, adding some schools have attended for decades while new schools are also corning. Some studentsare following in their parents' footsteps by attending the pro- gram and Ridley said this year two teachers are coming to Sylvan who attended as students. The ABCA provides two full-time instructors in Ridley and Amy McLellan and two volunteer Gr. 12 or 13 students accompany each group as Junior Leaders. Most come from South Huron District High School in Exeter and Ridley will approach St. Anne's in Clinton next year to see if senior students are inter- ested. , Jeannette O'Neill, employed by Scouts Canada, has been the camp cook for More than 10 years. Reunion planned for June 19 The program's 35th anniversary will be celebrated with a reunion on Sat., June 19 from 1-5 p.m. at Camp Sylvan. Anyone who has been associated with the camp is invited to attend including staff, students, teachers, parents, resource people and volunteers. Scouts Canada will also be holding an open. house at the site that day. Environmental children's entertainer David Archibald will perform. He -has appeared at the Pinery, national parks, conservation areas and on children's television, programs. He was in Exeter last year for earthday programs. Resource people Al Willer, Hank C4. Halliday_ and Frank Wight will be mak- ing pr. ntations. The gatohotise -will have a pictorial history of the people and program and the camflre *IID be burn- ing,throughout the afternoon for Camp- fire songs Onmore contemporary note, there will be mini -golf and a castle maze in the field. There is no admission charge for the reunion but there . will be a nominal fee for some events such as mini -golf._ Ridley said people do not have to pre- register and can stay for an hour or the entire afternoon. Refreshments and food will be sold in the Frontier House. Conservation run July 24 The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation is organizing a five -kilome- tre trail run at Morrison Dam - Conservation Area near Exeter on July 24 to support the Sylvan Trust Fund. The trust raises money to make the Sylvan Conservation Program more accessible to schools throughout south- ern Ontario. . The entry fee is $20 and pledges may be collected in lieu of an entry fee (mini- mum of $20). Advance entries -must be received by July 16. - For more information on the Sylvan - Conservation Program, the reunion or conservation run, call Ridley at 519- 294-6631 or 519-235-2610. • • •. . i:a 4 • ' '..,,4,;' ps“: s -94M^-.� t'.a Rob Ridley teaches students about the forest ecosystem in the outdoor classroom at the Sylvan Conservation Program. The first camp itwolved 65 boys from Exeter schools for a week-long program of conservation activities.Today, the program Is offered of. f�e_r.aer.-d_r t'a. o Grt 5-8 sdenu n , : , t h,: +�(% photo/ABCA Vr's�GN _ • ..�.a._. ... 's`4