“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
-Rachel Carson
My fondest memories of childhood are of the days I spent exploring the woods, learning to swim, canoeing across a peaceful lake....and nothing is more removed from that than the community my students come from. Teaching in inner-city New York, my colleagues and I strive to ensure that our students emerge from our school thoughtful, motivated, and resilient. We believe that the surest way to build resilient children is through exposure and interaction with nature which is why we try to take a number of students from the 4th-7th grades on a camping trip in upstate New York once or twice a year.
These trips, while fun and eye-opening for our students are also designed to be educational in nature. While camping, students engage in thoughtful nature walks where they learn about the forest and lake ecosystems. Students also learn how to to respect nature and always leave it just as they found it. On these trips, students also engage in team-building activities that bolster self-esteem and camaraderie. Additionally, upon returning to school, students are asked to write reflective journals about their experiences and have the opportunity to share their takeaways with their classmates.
These camping trips are looked forward to throughout the entire school year – children cannot wait for the next one to begin. Last year, however, our long-anticipated camping trip was canceled. The lack of available funds prevented us from being able to rent materials such as sleeping bags and tents – which, of course, one cannot go camping without. In order to take not one, but two or three trips a year, we are asking for twenty (20) sleeping bags for our students. This way, the money saved can be used to take more children on more trips throughout the school year.
With your donation, you will enable us to take students who have never seen and experienced the calming beauty of nature to finally know it. Your help will ensure that these students become more resilient, self-confident individuals ready to take on the world.
Thank you.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. G. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.