This past week, I had the privilege of participating in the Rocky Mountain Nature Association’s Teacher’s Institute 2008: Connecting Adolescents and Stewardship. This program was funded by Rocky Mountain Field Seminars and the Next Generation Fund and designed to bring together middle level school teachers in order to explore ways to integrate environmental awareness and stewardship into curriculum. It is based on Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, which proposes that, ”Kids who get caught up in the wonders of nature will also be far more engaged when it comes time to learn about science in school.” He proposes to help “Save children from Nature-Deficient Disorder” by getting kids outside into nature. The Next Generation Fund, which is dedicated to create the conservationists of tomorrow, promises to expand many programs currently at Rocky Mountain national Park (RMNP). These include the Olson Fellowship, RMNP Environmental Educational Programs, the Junior Ranger Program, publications and books, RMNP Field Seminars and the American Conservation Corps. Their motto is: “Nature. Pass It On.”
 
Each day was packed with information, brainstorming and activities. We spent some time in the classroom and then we went out in the field. After introductions on Monday morning, we set out on a hike to Bierstadt Lake with the Olson Fellow, Curtis. He shared with us his knowledge of the trees, plants and geology. It was very interesting and informative. In the afternoon we brainstormed with RMNA’s Director, J’Ann Wright about what we wanted to get out of the seminar and how we would incorporate what we learned into the classroom or a field seminar. Since I am no longer in the classroom, my goal was to create a field seminar for students who are physically or mentally handicapped. She presented each of us with a workbook, Understanding by Design, which was very instrumental in helping us develop our curriculum.
 
Tuesday morning started out with a basic lesson from Philip on how to use your GPS. We then set out with Philip and Curtis and our GPS’s from the RMNA Kid’s Store in town to try our hand at geocaching. What fun! You can borrow a GPS from the store and directions for several geocaching sites, if you would like to try it. Geocaching is like a high-tech scavenger hunt. We had a ball trying to find those hidden cache boxes; I’m sure the kids and their families would too.
 
Wednesday morning J’Ann told us all that RMNA does from land acquisition for the national park or the national forest, funding for environmental education, the Olson Fellowship, graduate research programs, and giving back to the park monies made from the sale of books at the Visitor’s Centers. We then observed a children’s art Field Seminar at Lily Lake which was a lot of fun. We were able to see how the program works. After lunch, we explored the Moraine Park Museum and watched the movie of RMNP at the Visitor’s center. This is a must if you haven’t seen it! J’Ann then met us and took us “behind the scenes” where we met Mark DeGregorio, the Education and Outreach Specialist, Rainey Kreis, who is in charge of the Educational Programs and School Field Trips, and Kathy Brown who coordinates the Park Rangers. It was fascinating to talk with them all and see what an integral part they play at RMNP. Thursday, RMNA Board member, Dick Coe led us on an exciting hike to Cub Lake and then to the Pool. If you ever get to go on a hike with Dick, don’t miss it! He is a wealth of knowledge and knows his birds, plants, flowers, trees, geology, etc. extensively! It was a treat for us all! Thursday afternoon we spent writing up our ideas for integrating nature into our curriculum or writing a field seminar to address this need. J’Ann brainstormed with each of us on our ideas. In the evening we attended an Interpretive Program of our choice. Friday, we spent the day with the Next Generation Project manager, Steve Cole, for an all day Field Seminar up on Trail Ridge Road. What an incredible day that was! We learned everything he could teach us along the route! We hiked up to where humans had made rock walls to drive the game to their blinds 4,500 years ago so they could kill them for food. I didn’t even know that humans lived here that long ago. The highlight of the day was when Steve took us on a side trip to the RMNA Museum where we met the Curator, Tim Burchett. We saw an old butterfly collection, pressed flowers and plants from 100 years ago, and a skull and horns of a bison that lived hundreds of years ago. As the glacier receded, the remains were uncovered. Tim showed us some arrowheads and points found in the park that were 9,000 years old. Wow! We could’ve stayed there for hours looking at the treasures.
 
Our goal each day was to be in the classroom but also to get out in the field and experience that “WOW” feeling that RMNP has to offer and to try to find a way to instill that feeling in children of today. Our week was amazing! We look forward to going back to our classrooms and trying to increase awareness to teachers and families of the need for children to be out in nature and experience it themselves so that they can be our future stewards and conservationists of tomorrow. We need to pass our love of nature on to the Next Generation…so we can protect our natural resources in the future.