Earthkeepers Program Activities

The three-day program at the Earthkeeper Training Center is very busy. Each day is filled with a complete schedule of experiential learning activities that are covered in five categories. Following are descriptions of these categories and their Criteria.

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS

• Each activity focuses on basic ecological concepts (energy flow, interrelationships, and change) and utilizes a problem solving storyline and analogies common to everyday life to bring hard to understand ecological principles to life.

IMMERSING EXPERIENCE

• The purpose of the immersing activities is to develop a feeling of closeness to and caring for the earth and it’s life. They are sensory, barrier breaking experiences that make the familiar, unfamiliar by changing the participant’s perspective, and involves direct contact with the natural world.

DIARY WALK (DISCOVERY PARTY)

• The target of the Discovery Party is to build a sense of wonder and place. It encourages personal exploration and discovery while having just enough structure for the group.

EARTHWALK

• Earthwalks offer fresh, new ways of experiencing the wonders and magic of nature. Brief, structured, hands-on activities introduce the natural world in a non-identifying, non-threatening way. An Earthwalk involves total participation on the part of the students.

SOLITUDE ENHANCING EXPERIENCE

• Magic Spots time provides an opportunity for each student to develop a quiet, safe, and comfortable relationship with one particular place in the natural world. The student returns to this spot each day to sit, absorb, reflect, and dream.

CLASSROOM FOLLOW-THROUGH (COMPLETING THE PROGRAM)

• Follow through takes place back at school and at home where students do additonal activities to complete the program.