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Spring 2010 Adventure Classroom for Home Schoolers (Grades 2-3)

In the outdoors, children find excitement, intricacy, and wonder. The eyes widen when we discover deer prints, beaver-chewed wood, and birds’ nests, when we compare oak leaves to pine needles, and when we find huckleberries. This spring, WILD GUYde Adventures will invite 2^nd and 3^rd graders to experience some of the simple and beautiful treasures of the wild outdoors.

Format: Two hikes and a paddling experience will get children into the outdoors for these ½-day adventures. Activities might include scrambling on boulders, visiting a fire tower, trying a low intensity tension traverse across a mountain stream, and exploring a lake for clues about water fowl. Children who enjoy the outdoors learn to value and protect it; the group will do some trash pickups, and be introduced to Leave No Trace practices in the National Forest.

Logistics: WILD GUYde can provide some transportation, but an additional parent driver may occasionally be necessary. All sites are within 30 minutes of Harrisonburg, VA. Two adult leaders will accompany each outing.

What to bring: WILD GUYde Adventures will provide all group and specialized activity equipment (First Aid kit, Personal Flotation Devices, etc.). A personal equipment-to-bring list for participants will be provided.

When? Selected weekdays in late May and early June, 2010: Tues., 5/25 – Hiking*; Wed., 5/26 – Paddling; and Wed., 6/2 – Hiking. Overflow dates will be announced in April.

How much? $20 for each trip, or $55 for all three.

Is it safe? The outdoors is not a safe place. Part of what adventure means is that not all risks are eliminated. By teaching proper skills and precautions, and using the right equipment, we attempt to manage risk. Participants will be asked to complete a Medical Form, and sign a Participant Agreement acknowledging various dangers.

Memorabilia: Students will receive a certificate of participation and a trip card from WILD GUYde for 1 trip, and a Leave No Trace patch for all 3. Students are also encouraged to bring a camera to save the memories.

Sign-up: Students may register for 1, 2, or all 3 adventures. Day trips are limited to 10 students each; priority registration will be given to early commitments, and to students registering for multiple dates. Download a Medical Form and a Participant Agreement from www.wildguyde.com and mail with payment to WGA, 1047 Stuart St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802. To ask questions, contact Lester Zook at 540-433-1637 or lester@wildguyde.com . 75% refund for cancellations up to 7 days prior; no refunds thereafter.

And finally, who is this WILD GUYde? Lester R. Zook is a professor at EMU, and director of the Outdoor Ministry program there. He has been leading wilderness adventures for college students and camp groups for the past 20 years. He is a Wilderness First Responder, and is a certified member of the American Mountain Guides Association (Single Pitch Instructor). He and his wife Robin have four children, attend Weavers Mennonite Church, and have home-schooled their children through elementary school). WGA is a permitee with the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests, and is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Certified Single Pitch Instructor

*Hiking locations are rotated on a biennial basis, so participants from last year can expect some exciting new sites!