48 years ago (1967) a Newton South science teacher started a summer day camp for teenagers that focuses on getting kids out into nature and teaching them all about it.
The Environmental Science Program of Newton is a month long program aimed at kids entering grades 7 – 10. They’ll learn about geology, botany, ecology, water cycle, pollution issues, and conservation and they’ll get out in nature to experience it all with frequent field trips involving hiking, canoeing and exploring. It all culminates in a three day backpacking trip in New Hampshire.
The program is an initiative of The Newton Conservation Commission. It has a long history of today’s student coming back in later years as the teachers and guides.
There are still some empty spots ($1295) for this year’s June 29 – July 30 program. If you’re interested in only a portion of the month, that may be possible too – contact them via [email protected] or 617-447-9317.
Also – It’s a great program but they are struggling with finances this year. They would love to find a new local corporate or institutional sponsor and they welcome any and all contributions to help keep this program going for the next 48 years. Please help if you can.
Send contributions to:
Enviro-Science Program
C/o David Backer
P.O. Box 600292
Newton, MA 02460
I don’t think this thread will generate a lot of comments. But I hope people will read the story and contemplate what could be. Because this community, like most communities, has tunnel vision when it comes to public school education. Programs like this should be an integral part of our educational system, not just a summer experience for those who can afford it. [And that’s not a criticism of the price, which seems very reasonable].
Obviously classrooms have their place in the educational process. But in my opinion, the most profound and resilient learning experiences come outside of a school building. Our School Committee should be working to provide more alternative learning experiences that get students out of the classroom, whether through one day field-trips or programs like the one featured here.
I was very fortunate to have attended Newton schools in the 1960’s and 70’s, at a time when our system offered many different ways to learn. Today we have a system that appears largely to be one size fits all. We try to squish our students into boxes, both literally and figuratively. I think this approach compromises the overall quality of the educational experience, and puts a tremendous amount of stress on the kids.
Newton has deep financial resources. We have some truly great educators. We should be using these things to far greater advantage. Our objective should be to reestablish Newton as one of the top public school systems in the country. That goal requires a lot of out-of-the-box thinking, and rethinking a lot of the ways we deliver education.
The Environmental Science camp is an excellent program. Those of my kids who have been old enough have participated these last few years, and my two oldest are now leaders.