On a warm summer morning, two 5th grade cohorts traveled to Machias River Preserve to kick-off their final week of school and conclude their yearlong Outdoor Ed program with DCC’s Outreach Director Cathy Lookabaugh.
These twenty-one 5th graders, joined by their teachers, embarked down the Heritage Trail for a final celebratory hiking field trip. Students were excited to race along the bog bridging and were in awe of the river view. They took one final moment to walk silently along the river’s edge and listen quietly for birds, before playing their favorite game of the year “Thicket”, a game that shows the benefits of adaptive camouflage.
Over the past year, the woods behind Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School became a classroom for these students for one hour, every other week. Over the 18 sessions, each cohort explored native ecology, learned about local wildlife, and played educational games relating to their in-classroom instruction. Reflecting on the year students expressed in gratitude to Lookabaugh: “Thank you for teaching us about the outdoors and making it fun” – Brooke; “I love nature so I loved going and doing Outdoor ED” – Piper; “I had a good time learning, thank you!” – Ziva.
Lookabaugh is excited to continue outdoor lessons and nature exploration with local families throughout the summer during our “Family Nature Club Outings” with the Maine Outdoor School. DCC is hopeful we can expand on our partnerships with additional schools in the local area next year to further our environmental education goals and get more youth outdoors, loving nature!
