Fifth graders experience outdoors at Camp McDowell

Riverchase Elementary School fifth graders embarked on an outdoor classroom experience at the Environmental Learning Center at Camp McDowell this fall. The goal of this trip was to go beyond basic curriculum in order to bring classroom learning alive through real life experiences – all while having a great time.

The three-day camping trip was filled with rich educational experiences. Students were able to explore life in a pond where they learned about animal adaptations, food chains and ecosystems.

In an effort to better understand the rock cycle, students took long hikes through the forest to see examples in a natural habitat. They went canoeing and learned survival skills from their favorite naturalist “Big Dave.”

Nighttime activities included sessions for students to get up close and personal with wildlife native to Alabama forests. Students were also able to participate in a Night Hike. Not only did they learn about night vision, but they also learned to appreciate nature from a new perspective.