The Science-Based Environmental Education Program for Schools
is a three-day, two-night outdoor immersion program for elementary and middle school students. With each class group Cal-Wood education staff partner with visiting teachers to tailor a specific set of learning objectives that are relevant to the needs of the students, and support STEM objectives.
Cal-Wood is actively creating new relationships with schools in economically depressed areas to recruit new schools to participate because of the BRIDGE Fund. Without BRIDGE funds these schools would not be able to bring students to Cal-Wood, these schools have an average low-income student rate above 70%. We provided direct financial assistance to 27 schools with 1,123 under resourced students in 2012, and plan to expand to 1375 students in 2013.
Summer Camps
can be a very formative experience for young people, Cal-Wood camps bring together children from all over the front range and beyond. Camps are designed to offer a mix of fun outdoor activities, environmental education, confidence building, outdoor recreation, team building, and to give participants the opportunity to connect with the amazing Cal-Wood Education Center campus.
Cal-Wood has established relationships with complementary nonprofit organizations that serve similar target populations to offer camping partnerships. The primary focus of the summer camps is to provide a hands-on opportunity to understand the unique ecology and biology at our 1200 acre facility. Camper students are given information about future study and environmental vocational opportunities. We provided Summer Camp tuition assistance to 39 under resourced students in 2012, and plan to expand to 100 youth in 2013.
The Teen Adventure Club
(new in 2012) is a full day activity based program offered to youth on Saturdays, teacher conference days, holidays, school breaks, and summer camps. This program is provided free of charge, and is targeted to low-income and diverse students. The Teen Adventure Club connects kids to the environment, their communities, and their inner strength through year-round recreation, environmental education, and community service projects. We will serve 50 middle and high school students during the 2012/13 school year, and will expand to 100 during the 2013/14 school year.
