Palmyra gives students an outdoor education
Palmyra gives students an outdoor education
By Tyler Frantz
Some of life’s greatest lessons can be learned in the outdoors. Problem solving, teamwork, stewardship, resiliency and environmental awareness are just a few among many others that come to mind.
That’s why when it comes to student learning, Palmyra Middle School whole-heartedly believes in the merits of its Outdoor Education Program- a beloved Cougar tradition that has provided Palmyra seventh graders a week of quality outdoor instruction for thirty-five years straight.
Founded in 1980 by educators Dr. Alan Fager, Jack Knol and Jon Clemens, the annual five-day residential learning program is held over the course of two weeks at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA. This year, 280 students, thirty-four junior and senior high school counselors and twenty-seven staff members took part in the program.
“The Outdoor Education Program offers students an opportunity to learn in an environment outside of school walls,” said Michelle Waiter, Outdoor Ed Director and school guidance counselor. “The learning that takes place in this program is not only academic in nature; there is tremendous personal and social growth throughout the week as well.”
“Now, more than ever, in a world where technology can make it difficult for students to develop healthy social skills, this program allows students the opportunity to get to know each other beyond the superficial outside shell of a person. The basic premise of the program is to learn about the beauty inside yourself and others, as well as within nature and the environment.” The program involves a learning climate where the traditional curriculum is enriched with practical, direct environmental experiences. The students become involved in eleven different programs of study, a majority of which include active learning processes.
Among these courses, the most challenging is the adventure course, which is a team-building activity comprised of many stations requiring group work and problem solving skills.
In fact, a variety of the activities at Camp Swatara develop team-building skills, constantly encouraging students to enhance their interpersonal skills, find their personal strengths and achieve a common task through various modes of communication. Outdoor Education classes include a stream study, square dance, geology, star lab, watersheds, nature observation, reflection/expression, music, orienteering and a survival course.
Throughout the week, students participate in recreational activities as well. These include boating, mini-golfing, hiking, Frisbee golf, volleyball and kickball. In addition to the classes and activities the students attend during the day, many evening events are included. Square dancing and the final campfire provide the highlights of the evening programs.
“A unique atmosphere develops between students, counselors and staff during the week,” said Waiter. “This atmosphere builds on the seventh grade theme of the four C’s: courtesy, consideration, cooperation and being conscientious.”
“The best in each student is acknowledged and enriched during outdoor education. Because of the multitude of extraordinary opportunities offered at Camp Swatara, our students frequently remember the event as an unforgettable life experience,” Waiter added.
“I’ve had the extremely fortunate privilege of going to outdoor education as a student, counselor and teacher,” said 7th grade math teacher and 2005 Palmyra graduate, Tyler Binkley. “I have benefited as a person from all three experiences, taking memories with me from each trip I've made.”
“What the program provides for students at both the seventh grade and high school level (as counselors) can't quite be summed up into words. Both experiences offer a different set of skills for students to take with them into life, strategies and skills that are difficult to find in a regular school setting.” “Camp was one of the best weeks of my life because I got to see other people in their true colors,” said current eighth grader, Megan Frazier, of her Outdoor Ed experience. “I made friends with people I usually just glanced at in class or someone I’ve never said hi to before. Plus, it really showed me the uniqueness of our environment and how it affects us in so many ways.”
“It is a great testament to our school district and community that this outstanding program has been supported personally and financially for the last 35 years,” said Waiter. “It is amazing when you think about the number of students we currently have whose parents have also been through the Outdoor Education Program when they were in seventh grade.”
Brent Norton graduated from Palmyra in 1988 and went to Camp Swatara during the early years of the program’s existence. All three of his children later experienced outdoor education just as he did, and each found it very rewarding. “Camp is one of the most memorable experiences of the entire school career; it’s often mentioned at graduation,” Norton said. “I still remember going canoeing and doing the stream study, and I think it’s really cool that my kids had these same opportunities.”
“It’s especially important that our local youth get that exposure to the outdoors, because most live in the suburbs and wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to enjoy all that the camp experience has to offer,” Norton said. “It’s a nice break from the classroom to go learn in an outdoor setting, and it’s great the district still does this for the kids.”
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