Scholars Students Explore the Natural World

(Kelley Thompson is a Program Specialist in FLOC’s Scholars Program.)

The FLOC Scholars Program took 19 Scholars students to the Outdoor Education Center (OEC) in Harpers Ferry, West Va., to learn about and explore the natural world. The OEC trip was a fun and exciting adventure infused with environmental learning, natural world exploring, and exposure to ways to be greener.

While at the OEC, FLOC Scholars built upon a foundation of environmental knowledge developed during the school year. They were exposed to ways to act on behalf of the environment as well as careers in environmental fields. They engaged in dialogue about the importance of green action. And, they did all of this while adventuring, exploring and trying new and exciting outdoor activities.

Specifically, the Scholars students learned about wildlife ecology on hikes, at campfires and while using a map and compass to explore the OEC property. They visited the Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Center to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation processes as well as the impacts that humans have on the environment. They even got a chance to meet ‘ambassador’ animals, such as a rehabilitated turtle, hawk and opossum.

Students learned about biodiversity, forest ecology, leave no trace (LNT) principles and human impacts on the environment. With this knowledge they were able to practice LNT principles while hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains and canoeing on the Shenandoah River. On their canoeing/camping adventure, they were able to identify trees and explore different ecosystems.

Students also learned about wetland ecology. They visited different bodies of water (creeks, rivers and ponds) and were able to explore and discover with nets, magnifying glasses and other water tools. They learned how to identify various macroinvertebrates and how to test water temperature, pH levels and oxidation levels. In learning these things, students were able to assess the water quality of different local bodies of water and draw their own conclusions about human impacts on local water.

While at the OEC, students learned about natural resource and wildlife conservation. They talked to biologists and historians at the National Conservation Training Center and scientists at the USDA Fishery. At every meal they talked about the value of composting and recycling. They also participated in hands on activities that taught them about alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric energies.

After summer programming at the OEC, students are more informed and better equipped to make sound environmental choices. And, very importantly, many are eager to take advantage of other opportunities to get out and explore the natural world.

The OEC and Boys and Girls Club Form Partnership

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

During this past year, I learned a college classmate of mine was now serving on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle (BGCEP)—a group the OEC staff has discussed partnering with. I reached out to my old friend and soon we were sharing with each other the mission of our two organizations. We quickly realized the OEC and BGCEP shared some of the same core beliefs and a partnership should form.

In June the BGCEP brought 20 students to the OEC to participate in our Team Development Challenge Course. The children and their chaperones participated in a number of our team building initiatives in the morning—building trust, confidence and communication with their peers. After breaking for lunch, the participants took their adventure to the next level by completing the high ropes course equipped with a 300’ zip-wire.

At day’s end, there was a noticeable, positive change in the overall dynamics of the group. Participants overcame obstacles, helped their friends face their fears, and became closer with each other.

June’s event was a pilot program in order to develop a specific program to completely address the goals of the students. Based on the overall success of the program, the OEC has continued working with board members of the club to schedule dates in the fall for additional students to visit the OEC.

It is our hope to host every student in both the Jefferson County and Martinsburg/Berkeley County Chapters of the Boys and Girls Club. The June program was funded in part by Berkeley Community Pride. If you would like to learn more about this partnership, or to help fund the program by sponsoring a student, please contact Rob Stull at 304.725.0409 or rstull@floc.org.

Encouragement Goes a Long Way

(Kara Jerez is For Love of Children’s Recruitment and Outreach Intern this summer. She will also be a reading tutor.)

As the Recruitment and Outreach Summer Intern, I was invited to the all staff retreat at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

I knew we were participating in ropes courses and a rafting trip aimed toward teambuilding. These teambuilding programs are implemented at a summer camp I volunteer at and I’ve seen first hand the bonding and inspiration campers gain through them. However, I was unaware the same would happen to an adult staff.

The importance of communication proved to be the first lesson of many I learned in those two days, especially through the first high ropes obstacle, which essentially looked like a telephone pole with artificial grips for the hands and feet.

After seeing other co-workers climb up to the top, I thought, “Piece of cake.”

Incapable of establishing my footing effectively, I found myself relying heavily on my coworkers’ instructions. The higher I climbed, the more detailed they became. With no foot holds in sight, inches separated me from the bell to signal my success.

“There is a little blue hold to your right foot. Use that to get to the top,” I heard from the ground.

Little was an understatement. They hadn’t led me astray during their previous directions, so I gave the little blue foot hold a try. Sure enough, I made it to the top!

Afterward, I didn’t feel proud that I made it to the top, but instead felt proud and thankful to be reminded of what encouragement feels like, to have people believe in you, and to be part of this organization.

I realized that’s the FLOC way – encouragement. A small amount of encouragement brought me to the top of that obstacle, allowing me to understand why FLOC students improve and succeed as much as they do. I am excited to pass that encouragement I received to a student as a Language tutor this summer.

Environmental Education: Collaborating Across the State

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

The West Virginia Environmental Education Association (WVEEA) works to connect and unite environmental professionals, teachers, informal educators, professors, and interested others in order to collaborate on projects, discuss and disperse information, share research, and strengthen the environmental community in West Virginia. In addition to building strong networks within West Virginia’s boundaries, WVEEA connects West Virginia educators to the global community of environmental education through affiliation with the North American Association for Environmental Education.

According to WVEEA, Environmental Education (EE) increases public awareness and knowledge of ecological issues and challenges. EE enables people to gain an understanding of the physical world around them and how their individual actions affect the environment on local and global scales. EE fosters the skills one can use to weigh differing sides of an issue and become prepared to make informed decisions about consequential actions and lifestyles. EE also gives individuals a deeper knowledge and understanding of the environment, inspiring them to take personal responsibility for its preservation and restoration. 1

The Outdoor Education Center has been heavily involved with the development of WVEEA since its inception in 2006. Along with many other dedicated individuals and resource providers, OEC staff were successful with assisting in the development of WVEEA’s annual conferences. On March 25 and 26, WVEEA once again hosted another quality conference. This year’s theme was Engage, Excite and Explore —steering conference participants to many great sessions including Growing Up Wild, Mapmaking with Children, The Body Farm, and Alternative Energy in Education.

Of the nearly 100 attendees, many had tremendous things to say about the event. This year’s conference was hosted by Canaan Valley Institute and proved to be a perfect, natural setting for environmental educators to gather. Several attendees commented on the diversity of sessions, the natural beauty of the location and the quality of the keynote speaker—David Sobel, Director of the Center for Place Based Education at Antioch University.

For more information about the West Virginia Environmental Education Association, please visit their website at www.wveea.org

1 www.wveea.org

Leaders in Action Students Focus on Healthy Living

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center. This is a follow-up to the OEC’s Feb. 8 blog entry.)

The Harpers Ferry Middle School Leaders in Action students have made great improvements toward leading a healthier lifestyle. As reported in an earlier article, West Virginia has the fourth highest obesity rate in the country—nearly 32 percent of the state’s residents are classified as obese. Educating our youth is a powerful tool in addressing this alarming statistic.

The Leaders In Action program at Harpers Ferry Middle School has been focusing on healthy living throughout the past semester. Through guest speakers, fitness testing, and hands-on activities, the LIA students have not only developed a better understanding of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle but they have shown a significant improvement and their personal fitness levels.

Results from the pre and post-evaluations proved that all of the LIA students showed a positive increase of intellectual knowledge on the health curriculum offered implemented by OEC staff. One student even showed a 73 percent increase.

On Feb. 2, Suzy Munnis, Wellness Director from Shepherd University, and her husband James came to the LIA program and administered the Pre-Physical Fitness Tests to the students. The following tests were conducted:
 Height and Weight
 Sit and Reach Test (Flexibility)
 Step Test (Cardiovascular)
 Sit-Up Test (Strength)
 BMI (Body Mass Index)

Overall, students showed improvement in all three categories of Cardiovascular, Flexibility, and Strength tests.

Moving forward, LIA students plan to continue monitoring their health through the physical fitness tests. Taking the knowledge gained in this unit, the students will begin to look at ways of eating healthier.

Their next field trip will be to Claymont Farm where they will meet and work with the organic farmer and provider of our CSA crop share. The students will then come to the OEC and plant their very own organic vegetable garden. If you would like to learn more about the curriculum taught in LIA or to make a donation to the program, contact us at 304.725.0409.

Two Rivers Heritage Half Marathon, 4 Mile, and Kids Fun Run: Celebrate History, Youth, And the Joy of Running through Our National Parks

On-line Registration Now Open www.harpersferryhalf.org

Harpers Ferry, WV- A new running and walking adventure is coming May 14!

In October 1859, abolitionist John Brown and several followers seized the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry and brought national attention to the deep divisions concerning slavery. Over 150 years later the history rich parklands of Harpers Ferry again take center stage in events commemorating the Civil War’s 150th Anniversary.

On May 14, the collaborative between the National Parks and Freedom’s Run will expand as Freedom’s Run Series of Events is born with the Inaugural Two Rivers Heritage Half Marathon, 4 Miler, and Free Kids Fun Run.

The event will promote the region’s heritage, National Parks, local businesses, volunteerism, and collaboration while bringing attention to important issues surrounding family health, attachment to nature, and inclusivity for the large population of autistic children in the region.

The event will benefit two local non-profit organizations: Eastern Panhandle Indigo Children (EPIC) and its mission to improve the health and opportunities for children with autism, and The Outdoor Education Center of For Love of Children (OEC of FLOC) with a mission to facilitate healthy character development for youth and adults in a powerful outdoor classroom.

In 2009 and 2010, our region hosted the Freedom’s Run (www.Freedomsrun.org) through four National Parks. In the first year, the event hosted 1,650 finishers from 37 states. The event sold out in 2010 with participation of 2,700 runners from 42 states and became the largest event in the state of West Virginia.

Race Co-director Mark Cucuzzella runs the course almost daily over lunch breaks at his job at Harper’s Ferry Family Medicine. “This is truly an event of historic proportions. Every time I run this route there is something new for the senses and something challenging”.

Cucuzzella and local runner Patrick Schneble helped craft the courses. The half marathon will be challenging – with a mix of road and trail and over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The four-mile encompasses the more gentle rolling grass hills of Harpers Ferry National Park School House Ridge.

Some of the major historical sites covered in the event include John Brown’s Fort, The Armory of Virginius Island, Bolivar Heights, School House Ridge, and the pre-Civil War towns of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

OEC Promotes River Safety

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

As springtime approaches and more people are inspired to get outdoors, canoeing and kayaking along the Potomac River become a popular pastime in the DC area. While it’s a wonderful way to see and experience nature, everyone should be aware of the risks involved.

On the Potomac River, county officials, fire and rescue agencies and National Park Service officials began an education campaign about its dangerous sections. Online videos, social media outreach and essential signage along the river all warn visitors of the danger associated with entering the river. In some areas, the current in the river is more dangerous than an ocean riptide.

The Outdoor Education Center (OEC) is doing its part to educate participants about the importance of river safety. The OEC offers an Introductory Canoeing program to groups such as Girl Scouts, local schools, and our summer campers. This program focuses on basic river safety, equipment needed for a river trip, paddling strokes, and the skills needed to navigate through moving water.

In addition to our staff member who is an American Canoe Association certified Canoe Instructor, the OEC partners with River and Trail Outfitters (R&T), a local guide company specializing in quality river experiences. Each year, an instructor from R&T provides our summer staff the necessary training to lead the canoe trips we offer to our program participants.

The OEC staff feels through proper education and training, we, along with the many other organizations around the DC Metropolitan area, can eliminate the number of river deaths that occur each year. To learn more about our canoeing programs, give us a call at 304.725.0409. Additionally, if you would like to learn more about the programs offered by the ACA, please visit www.americancanoe.org.

(1) http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Accident/view/

Biking in Wild Places

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

Are bicycles appropriate in wild places? According to The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), the answer is yes. IMBA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. “Bicycling is a human-powered, low-impact, quiet form of travel compatible with wild places and the intent of the Wilderness Act.” 1

Beginning in 1988, IMBA started promoting mountain biking on public lands by supporting low impact riding, volunteerism, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions. One of IMBA’s programs is their Trail Building School, offering a comprehensive look at how to build and maintain sustainable trails. This class is geared toward all types of trail users, local volunteers, and land mangers.

The Outdoor Education Center has a member on staff who attended this training. All new and current trails on the OEC property (as well as Rolling Ridge Foundation Lands, RRF) are maintained to IMBA standards using the same sustainability practices taught in the Trail Building School.

There are more than 100 acres of biking and hiking trails throughout the OEC property, as FLOC has done a wonderful job maintaining a multi-use trail system. Whether one wants to visit the property for bird watching or adrenaline-pumping bike rides, the OEC provides a trail network that can be enjoyed by a diverse group of users, all at the same time.

In addition, the OEC offers a quality Introduction to Mountain Biking program for scouts, community groups, and summer campers. This program focuses on basic biking skills, equipment, trail etiquette, and sustainability practices. The OEC feels mountain biking is a wonderful way to enjoy and explore the wild places on the property. If done responsibly, one can traverse the land by bike without leaving any trace.

If you would like to find out more about our bike program or to come out and enjoy our network of trails, please contact us at 304.725.0409 or visit www.flocoutdoors.org.

1) http://www.imba.com/resources/land-protection/frequently-asked-questions-wilderness-and-imba#top

OEC Challenge Course Meets, Exceeds Industry Standards

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

Maintaining the Outdoor Education Center’s High Ropes Challenge Course is an ongoing process. The facility staff at the OEC takes pride in maintaining and exceeding the industry’s safety standards. The OEC is a member of two different associations that serve as resources for meeting these standards—The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and The Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA).

In general, these two organizations share the same mission: to develop and maintain challenge course safety standards and to be a resource for those agencies who operate challenge courses. In addition to these two organizations, Keystone Adventure Company, our external course inspector, assures the safety of our course and equipment by providing us with a thorough, hands-on yearly inspection. As part of this inspection, an audit is conducted on our operating procedures, safety documentation and usage log books.

Based on the 2010 report, the inspector states, “It was clear that a lot of time and effort had been put into the repairs, maintenance, and appearance of the course”. This was a result of the hard work from the OEC’s Site Coordinator Kevin Hughes and his Assistant Shane Hovatter.

These two individuals spend a great deal of time making sure our challenge course is safe for participants and staff alike. They do this through monthly in-house inspections where detailed examinations are conducted on all equipment and course elements.

Kevin has completed the Challenge Course Supervisors Training offered by Inner Quest in nearby Purcellville, Va., while Shane brings over 10 years of experience working within the adventure field. The knowledge and expertise of both Shane and Kevin allow the OEC to continue offering fun, challenging, and safe programs for all of the OEC’s participants.

For more information on the ACCT and PRCA, visit their websites at: www.acctinfo.org and www.prcainfo.org. You can also learn more about our inspection company by visiting www.keystoneadventure.com.

If you would like to book an exciting challenge course program for your group, please contact Katie Nolan at knolan@floc.org or call 304.725.0409.

Girl Scouts and OEC Partner to Build Character

(Rob Stull is the Outreach Coordinator for the Outdoor Education Center.)

“Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls—all girls—where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” (http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/)

The Girl Scout organization as a whole aims to build girls of courage, confidence, and character in order to make the world a better place. This vision is shared by the Outdoor Education Center (OEC), and something we strive for with all of our participants. It is because of this shared vision the OEC became a registered vendor and partner for The Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capitol (GSCNC) in 2008.

To date, we have offered programs to nearly 1,000 girl scouts in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington DC. These programs have included Team Building Adventures, Flat-water Canoeing, and GPS Scavenger Hunts. In 2010, the OEC expanded its Girl Scout offerings by developing environmental education, rock climbing, and yoga.

Character building is a major focus for both the girl scouts and the OEC—because of this, our Team Development Challenge Course is one of the most popular programs with the girls. This program offers various engaging, hands-on activities to improve communication, cooperation, and collaborative skills. Throughout the morning, the girls work together to solve puzzles and conquer obstacles as a team. In the afternoon, students use these skills to conquer some of their fears on the high ropes course, consisting of various ladders, climbing ropes, and wires with the culmination being the 300’ zip wire in the tree canopy.

To learn more about the variety of programs the OEC offers specifically for the girl scouts, visit www.gscnc.org/floc.html or call us at 304.725.0409. For more information about the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capitol, visit www.gscnc.org.