Program gives students a chance to experience the great outdoors
Smokey Bear was on hand to welcome area pupils to Fernwood State Park
Harding pupils learn archery skills
Bishop Mussio pupils pick up science tips
An Indian Creek pupil learns firefighting techniques
Buckeye Local pupils learn about beekeeping
Smokey Bear was on hand to welcome area pupils to Fernwood State Park
Harding pupils learn archery skills
Bishop Mussio pupils pick up science tips
An Indian Creek pupil learns firefighting techniques
Buckeye Local pupils learn about beekeeping
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STEUBENVILLE -- Fifth-graders from around Jefferson County took part in Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District's 35th-annual Outdoor Days Program at Fernwood State Park last week, which gave them a chance for them to combine learning with fun outdoor activities.
More than 600 students from the Indian Creek, Buckeye Local and Edison Local school districts; Steubenville City Schools; Bishop John King Mussio; the Jefferson County Christian School and home-schoolers got hands-on learning experience at this year's forestry camp.
"They start off here learning Newton's Law," said Irene Moore, JSWCD's district coordinator. "Ohio State University Extension takes the lead on that. The students are all given instructions in February for how to make a model rocket out of a (soda) bottle. They'll each have a chance to shoot their rocket today."
They completed a brief Newton's Law work sheet before dividing into class groups and then rotating among the activity stations -- aquatic ecology, firefighting, bee keeping, recycling and archery.
The students were able to see a collection of macro-invertebrates under a microscope at the aquatic ecology station and learned how to fish with fish.
"At the next station, the Division of Forestry teaches the kids about firefighting -- they'll actually use the hose and hit targets," Moore said. "And we have beekeepers who've been with us 30 years who will take them through that process, then the JB Green Team will show them recycling, and the Division of Wildlife has an archery (station) and the kids get to experience that."
The soil and water district coordinates and sponsors the program.
"We've been doing it since 1989," Moore said. "We started out with 25 students from Indian Creek schools as a tester, and it's grown ever since. More than 2,500 students in the fifth grade (countywide) have gone through this program."
Moore said between 150 and 200 students took part each day.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry manages the state forest, and is a partner of the district.