Imoné’s Alternative Spring Break

Imoné (third from the left) and her friends pose in front of the van on their alternative spring break.

During the first week of April, our Leaders In Action students from Charles Town Middle School and Harpers Ferry Middle School had the opportunity to participate in an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Charleston, WV. During the trip we were given a tour of The Capital Building led by Delegate Paul Espinosa. We also met with Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, as well as West Virginia’s Secretary of State, Attorney General, a Chief Justice, and multiple delegates. The next day we kicked off our Health and Gardening Unit by volunteering at an urban garden through the West Virginia State University Extension Office. To thank our host, Rock Lake Community Life Center, we gardened and cleaned their beautiful facility. While offering this meaningful leadership opportunity to our students, we interviewed a Charles Town Middle School student, Imoné.

Before the trip…

Sarah (Outdoor Education Center VISTA): What are you looking forward to the most on this trip?

Imoné  (Charles Town Middle School LIA student): I am mostly excited to meet the West Virginia Governor because he is the closest thing to meeting the president and an important figure to the state I live in.

Sarah: What were your plans for spring break if you did not attend this trip?

Imoné : Well, I would probably have sat at home and babysat. I am very glad to be able to take this trip with my friends!

Later in the week…

Sarah: What were some of your favorite things during our trip to Charleston?

Imoné : Definitely gardening and painting at the urban garden. I am very excited to start our upcoming Health and Gardening Unit!

Sarah: Why was this your favorite activity?

Imoné : I did not expect gardening to be fun but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to get muddy, plant vegetables, and learn about the earth.

Sarah: Did anything we previously learned in Leaders In Action prepare you for this trip?

Imoné : Yes, mostly our Global Connections and Local Government Units. Because we talked about both topics throughout the year, I was able to understand what we were talking about while at the Capital Building. Also, our Community Service Unit introduced me to the benefits of helping others in our community.

Sarah: What are some memories that you will take away from this?

Imoné : I have a lot! Some would be painting at the community garden, meeting West Virginia Government officials, meeting students from the Harpers Ferry Middle School LIA program, and getting to know current LIA members from Charles Town Middle School. I enjoyed the open environment to volunteer, talk, and have fun. I am very excited for next year!

This is Imoné’s first year in our Leaders In Action program. Due to how much she enjoyed this trip and how comfortable she felt with the staff and students, Imoné  plans on attending two summer camps at The OEC.

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Leaders In Action Survival Weekend

On the weekend of February 22-24, our Leaders In Action students joined us at the Outdoor Education Center for our annual Survival Overnight. This interactive weekend was developed to help our students get the overall feel of the OEC in preparation for summer camp, along with introducing them to the outdoors.

We played a name game to officially begin Survival Weekend, as some of the students are fairly new to the program. One goal of LIA is to increase student’s leadership and teamwork skills, which is the first step to creating a strong team. Afterward, we hiked several of the many trails that the OEC has to offer while identifying animal tracks and playing camouflage, a hiking game fit for every age (if you know it, you love it!)

Students enjoyed our next few activities that focused on native wildlife such as “What to do when you encounter animals” where each pair of students received an animal, acted out how they think someone should react when they stumble upon this animal, and then we discussed the practical decision. This activity helped the children step out of their comfort zone while using their own originality and creativity skills. The next wildlife game we played is known as “Wildlife Headbands”. Each student received an animal card, blindly placed it on their forehead, and actively wandered the room asking yes-or-no questions about which animal they represented. To relax, we sat down to watch Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. As we watched the movie, we discovered and discussed the many specific morals. The movie follows a young man’s encounter with the Lorax, a majestic speaker to the trees. The man decides to take advantage of the environment, cut down all the trees for the product he is creating, and in the end is left with nothing as the forest is empty, and his wildlife friends abandon him. We discussed the ways he could have followed his dreams and still kept the forest intact. All the students participated with their own unique thoughts on the subject. This activity truly helped our students view the environment from an alternative perspective. The moral of The Lorax correlates directly with our environmental stewardship mission, and fit precisely with our upcoming Health and Gardening Unit.

As the weekend progressed the students also accomplished a nature scavenger hunt and a “Migrate, Hibernate, and Tough It Out” animal game. This activity awakened the students in the morning as they ran to the designated animal winter coping mechanism that they thought was correct; for example, “Skunks: do they migrate, hibernate, or tough it out?” The answer: hibernate! As the weekend went on we touched on the five basic survival skills: Signal, Water, Shelter, Fire, and Food. Students were not only interested in these learning points, but they wanted to be directly involved in the production of activities. The main skill we focused on was shelter building. Each student had the opportunity to design and create their own shelter out of natural materials. Our FLOC’s Wilderness Voyager Camp, offered this summer, will heavily cover those five vital survival skills in an exciting hands-on approach, as well as offering the students an amusing camp experience.

Each Leaders In Action student was able to form their own organic experience at Survival Night. While enjoying time with new friends, the students achieved all levels of active participation by learning about their environment, accomplishing native wildlife games, and becoming comfortable at the Outdoor Education Center.

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Join Us for the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon!

The Harpers Ferry Half Marathon is just around the corner on Saturday, May 11. Don’t miss one of the most challenging and beautiful half marathons in the country!

The 13.1 mile course is almost completely enclosed in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the preserved Civil War era towns of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry. The route includes close to 1,000 feet of total elevation gain and 2,000 feet of total elevation change. Participants will experience a mix of trail, road, and crushed, gravel paths and will be able view the confluence of the Shenandoah and the Potomac rivers. The steep uphill portions will test each runner’s strength and will. The fun and challenging downhill sections will be a wild ride you’ve rarely experienced in a run. Breathtaking views of the rivers, historic buildings, and mountains will stimulate the senses and inspire you to reach the finish line. To register for $50 before April 21, visit http://www.harpersferryhalf.org/Registration.html.  After April 21 the price increases to $55. A t-shirt, beverages, fruit, bagels, pizza, and a medal if you complete the half marathon are included in the registration fee. Join us after the race at River Riders to celebrate with music, food, and good company.

If you’re not up for an entire half marathon, join us for a 4-mile run! This course runs along gentle hills and trail/road mix through the lovely Harpers FerryNationalHistoricPark. The low price for this race is $25 if you sign up before April 21, and after the 21^st the rate increases to $30.

Our FREE Kids One Mile Fun Run will begin later that morning at 11:00am. Encourage your children to join us in this exciting race along the beautiful Harpers FerryNational Park. No need to pre-register, just sign up from 9:00-10:45am on race day at River Riders (408 Alstadts Hill Rd, Harpers Ferry, WV).

Be sure to check out the website (http://www.harpersferryhalf.org/) for a detailed schedule and registration. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please visit the volunteer page at http://www.harpersferryhalf.org/volunteers.html. A huge thank you goes out to the many sponsors who are making this race possible: Pediatric Dental Center of Frederick, Grafton Integrated Health Network, Bank of Charles Town, Panera Bread, Two Rivers Treads, River Riders, and PizzaCity. This event is directly connected to the Outdoor Education Center of FLOC as all the proceeds will benefit our cause along with another local nonprofit organization, Eastern Panhandle Indigo Children (EPIC). Join us Saturday, May 11 in Harpers Ferry to help support the OutdoorEducationCenter!

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Meet Dylan from the OEC’s Leaders In Action Program

When I asked Dylan, a 6^th grader at Harpers Ferry Middle School in our Leaders In Action program, why he enjoys attending our weekly program, he had many reasons: whether it was trying guacamole for the first time during our Global Connection Unit or learning what kind of leadership style pertains to him, he enjoys having the opportunity to experience new things. Dylan was especially surprised by his interest in our local government curriculum, a topic not taught in the Jefferson County School System.  Dylan said, “I actually found government to be interesting. Who knew?” He appreciated our hands-on activities that focused on differences between state and local government as well as the countries and continents discussed in our global connections unit.

Our next unit is Health and Gardening, and Dylan plans to get very involved in gardening at The OEC and possibly at home. He is very excited for his first overnight camp this summer at The Outdoor Education Center, where he’ll spend a week appreciating the outdoors and enjoying our adventure programs such as canoeing and zip-lining! Dylan is also looking forward to our Alternative Spring Break Trip this week to Charleston, WV, where he will be participating in multiple community service projects and visiting the West Virginia Capitol Building with thirteen other Leaders In Action students.

Dylan has dreams of becoming a professional baseball player.  We talked about how Leaders In Action might help him grow closer to reaching his ultimate goal. Our main conclusion was that our program helps Dylan focus on his teamwork skills through our hands-on activities, as well as learning vital leadership techniques that may assist him to become the team captain in high school and beyond.

Our Leaders In Action program helps each middle school student in a unique way. Fortunately, we have the ability to reach a variety of students and teach them critical life skills by providing them valuable experiences through hands-on activities.

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

The Outdoor Education Center’s Health Expo and the 5K Challenge Run

Children participating in the barefoot running clinic at last year’s “Just Move It” Health Expo

Saturday, April 13^th is a busy day for the OutdoorEducationCenter! Our second annual “Just Move It” Health Expo and first the 5K Obstacle Race will both be held at Sam Michaels Park in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Our historic 5K run is not one to be missed! JeffersonCounty harbors a rich Civil War history that will be brought to life during our race. This year we decided it was time for the Eastern Panhandle to tackle our own obstacle run. The 5k is not your typical challenge race: you will be jumping over, under and through obstacles, you will probably get dirty, and you will use muscles you didn’t realize you had, but you’ll do it alongside soldiers and cavalrymen hurdling over civil war themed obstacles. Each heat will have a designated skill level and you are able to choose whichever fits your personal need. The first heat sets out for battle at 8:00am, with the other two heats following closely behind. Each participant receives a t-shirt and will be welcome to attend our “Just Move It” Health Expo after the completion of their crusade. Plus, this historical race on April 13th is one for all ages! Following the 5K will be our free “Kids Fun Run” at 11:00am.  To register please sign up before 10:30am on race day and receive your bib number.  We hope to see all you Generals there!

Directly following the Challenge Race is our “Just Move It” Health Expo inside the JeffersonCountyParks and Recreation Gymnasium. Our Health Expo focuses on seeing the enjoyment behind exercising and understanding how to make health and physical activity a part of your everyday life. Last year’s inaugural Health Expo was a huge success. We are looking forward to an even bigger crowd this year, as we increased the amount of vendors, clinics, and activities. Our goal is to support healthy, active lifestyles while creating an increased awareness of JeffersonCounty local businesses. Many JeffersonCounty local businesses and organizations have assisted our program through donations, materials, volunteers, and program support. The Health Expo will be concentrating on the seven aspects of health:  intellectual, social, physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and occupational. Throughout the day there will be local area vendors, various exercise clinics, a moon bounce and rock wall, raffles, a guest appearance by Mike Jenkins: a “Top 10 finalist of World’s Strongest Man Competition,” a Smoothie Cool Off contest, and an Average Joe’s Strong Man competition. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, volunteer, Smoothie Cool Off contestant, or Average Joe contender please contact Katie Nolan at knloan@floc.org. This family friendly event hosted by the Outdoor Education Center of FLOC and JeffersonCountyParks and Recreation is free to the public. Join us at Sam Michaels Park in Harpers Ferry, WV from 10:00am-2:00pm. See you there!

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Meet Breana: An Energetic Leader In Action

As a sixth grader at Charles Town Middle School, Breana has always enjoyed attending our Leaders In Action program. She is an energetic girl; continually answering our questions, helping other students, and participating in every activity. Breana joined Leaders In Action because she “has always wanted to be a leader.”

When participating in a leadership style activity, Breana grouped her own leadership approach as in the “Hot Tamale” category. Being in the “Hot Tamale” group usually means that you are a decision maker, motivational, and enthusiastic when in a group or team setting.  Breana’s zest for learning and “Hot Tamale” style is contagious while in the program. Many times, her excitement and interest in our material inspires other student’s to become more involved in our discussions.

Breana stated that “Leaders In Action has helped her to learn more about our environment while meeting new and fun people.” The best thing Breana has experienced while being a member of LIA has been our local government curriculum. As a candidate for Student Government Association when she joined LIA, Breana was brushing up on her community’s politics. Our local government curriculum was able to give her the general outline of local government along with duties and assignments our county officials may have. Happily, Breana was inducted into the Student Government Association at her middle school where she will be using her unique skills to make a difference in her school. Breana also enjoyed our recent Survival night where our students focused on winter wildlife and ecology along with vital survival skills.

As Spring rolls around, every Leaders In Action student gets excited for summer camp at The Outdoor Education Center. Breana is very eager to begin her first year of summer camp at The OEC, mostly because she wants to try new outdoor activities that she has not been able to experience yet such as canoeing, completing the high ropes course, and backpacking.

When asked what she has learned from Leaders In Action she sincerely stated: “it has helped me become a better leader in school, at home, and in other activities.”

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps Vista at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Leaders in Action Visit Willow Tree Manor

Our Leaders in Action program focuses on many hands-on experiences, one being community involvement. On February 9^th, 2013 our Leaders in Action students volunteered at a local nursing home called Willow Tree Manor. The students previously participated in a canned food drive, made sick kits for children undergoing chemotherapy, and have been individually donating their time to an organization of their choice throughout the year. We collectively agreed that volunteering at the nursing home would be a way to give back to a unique demographic, one that doesn’t necessarily need our donations, but could benefit from the joy and enthusiasm we bring.

During our time visiting Willow Tree Manor, our students participated in many activities with the residents including playing games such as bingo, cards, Sorry, and Yahtzee and painting the women’s nails. Some other residents simply enjoyed the company of our students, by reading them a story or talking with them. As we know, February tends to be a month focused on appreciation, and as a result of the loving spirit, the students made Valentine’s Day cards for the residents while some residents made cards for their significant others. Luckily, we had the opportunity to view their wholesome smiles when we presented them with their Valentines.

The residents and students had a wonderful time visiting with one another, ending with many of the residents asking when Leaders in Action could return for another visit. We are hoping to provide this volunteer experience again throughout the year to our students. Visiting the residents of Willow Tree Manor was a worthwhile experience for all who attended.  We participated in several fun activities with people of a different generation and enjoyed their company while we learned about their life experiences.

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps VISTA at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Leaders in Action field trip to Charles Town Historic Court House

Leaders in Action 2013, kicked off this year with a curriculum based on local government in Jefferson County, WV. The unit has given our students at Charles Town and Harpers Ferry Middle Schools the chance to focus on community involvement, Jefferson County government, and local, independent businesses. Not only are our students learning about laws and policies that effect their everyday lives, they are actively understanding the importance of our government in a lively, interactive setting.

On February 4^th and 5^th, students attended a field trip to the Charles Town Historic Court House. We were graciously hosted by the honorable Judge David H. Sanders, Jefferson County Delegate Stephen Skinner, and Dale Manuel, the newly elected President of the County Commission. The students were exposed to important West Virginia history including the opportunity to sit in the exact seats where the West Virginia Supreme Court previously was held. This court room also held the notorious lawsuit trials regarding the separation of West Virginia and Virginia, an essential part of our state’s past.

Judge Sanders greeted us as we entered the court house and then elaborated on the rich history that the Charles Town Historic Court House encases.  We discovered that the actual court house has appeared in famous movies as a result of the interesting past and historical significance that lies beyond the surface. Charles Town Court House is well known as the home of the John Brown Trial, following a failed attempt by Brown to incite an uprising to abolish slavery in the country. John Brown, an abolitionist in 1859, was tried for treason and hanged a short distance from the Court House steps. Judge Sanders gave us many interesting facts regarding the trial along with additional information from other historic hearings.

Dale Manuel, president of the Jefferson County Commission, gave the group a detailed background concerning the overall duties of the Jefferson County Commission. While showcasing his specific duties, Commissioner Manuel discussed the overall process to become an elected official. The students were then introduced to a citizen volunteer position known as a page. A page is used to deliver messages and run errands while state legislature meetings are in session. The page experience can expose young adults to the process of making laws and solving issues that directly affect our community.

Stephen Skinner, Jefferson County Delegate and local lawyer, introduced the students to what it means to be a delegate. As an experienced debater, Stephen led a discussion focused on education at the counties’ public schools.  Our students were able to discuss what they would like to change about the current education system; some examples were healthier food options at lunch, starting school at a later time, and having longer weekends. Delegate Skinner chose two representatives to debate the option of having Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off of school. One student described their viewpoints regarding why Jefferson County Schools should have longer weekends, while the other student defended the current weekend system. Both students used excellent examples of why they believe the weekends should or should not be changed, as well as solutions to fix the problem such as shorter summer breaks to make up the missed days. The case was closed with a final decision to keep the current weekend system in place.  Lastly, Delegate Skinner encouraged the children to watch the “State of the State” on West Virginia Local TV as they will be discussing concerns that influence their lives, including education.

Overall, the field trip to the Charles Town Historic Court House enriched our students’ minds and allowed them to interact with the officials who help shape our Jefferson County community.

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps VISTA at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center).

Meet Jordan: A Student in the Harpers Ferry Leaders in Action Program

Jordan is a student participant in our Harpers Ferry Middle School Leaders in Action program. This fun loving seventh grader joined LIA at the beginning of sixth grade. Why, you may ask?  During the end of fifth grade he talked to a previous VISTA about the program, summer camp, and all the interactive things that The Outdoor Education Center provides. Excited as he was, he enrolled in the program for the upcoming year.

Leaders in Action offers a holistic approach to education; using environmental education as the background, the curriculum centers on helping kids make healthy choices and serves as an avenue to reinforce concepts being learned in school, by fully engaging them physically and mentally in a two hour, weekly session.

Jordan appreciates the program because he “likes to learn about stuff you don’t normally learn in school” like Jefferson County Local Government and the environmental practices that apply to his life. As we know, The OEC offers numerous curriculum units and activities for the students to get involved in; Jordan’s favorites are the Just Move It Health Expo, the Halloweeny Warrior Dash, and gardening at the OEC and a local organic farm. One of Jordan’s favorite parts of the program is meeting new people, in other grades and from D.C. Jordan believes LIA is ultimately teaching him important qualities such as leadership and teamwork skills that apply to his daily life.

When we asked Jordan if and how Leaders in Action has helped him he replied, “Yes! I’m smarter in school and I see stuff in different ways.”

(Sarah Nowicki is an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Outdoor Education Center).

Look Who’s Now on Facebook!

Check out The Outdoor Education Centers new Facebook page at … https://www.facebook.com/theoutdooreducationcenterofFLOC. We are very excited to run our own social networking site based on our Leaders in Action after school program, upcoming events, teambuilding course, and facility rentals. We plan to utilize Facebook to connect with our past, present, and future participants through open lines of communication. Featuring our programs, we will be posting pictures and event schedules to inform our current members and hopefully attract new ones. Be sure to check out our page for updates and exciting news from the OEC!