Growing together in our care for creation. Part of our mission at DuBois Center is to engage in creation care. We believe outdoor and experiential education inspires students to care for creation and provides the best opportunity for students to engage in team and community building.
Program Objectives
Nature’s Classroom is a residential camp program that focuses on hands-on experiential learning. Learning in and from the natural environment allows students to engage in meaningful learning that goes beyond lessons gained in a typical classroom. Activities cover a variety of topics in the subject areas of social and physical science, math, art, and physical education.
Goals
- Encourage curiosity and exploration in a natural setting
- Offer a solid academic program and sharpen problem solving skills
- Build community and a cooperative spirit while affirming the individuality of each student
Benefits
Outdoor experiential education opportunities are crucial to the development of our children. With each generation, fewer children are participating in authentic nature-based experiences. Children are plugged into some kind of electronic device an average of 5 ½ hours a day. There are increasing fears from parents about their children’s safety, which might create barriers to connecting with a natural environment. It has been shown that nature-based experiences help to reduce stress and improve mood. Children who engage in learning experiences in nature simultaneously stimulate all their senses, facilitating learning. At DuBois Center we provide a safe environment where children and adults alike can learn in and from their natural surroundings. We practice a “challenge by choice” philosophy which helps facilitate team building by encouraging students to choose their level of participation, work towards achieving their goals, and push beyond their comfort zone. DuBois Center is a place where young people can practice self-exploration and positive risk taking in a safe environment.
Activities
The DuBois Center Staff teach a variety of team building and outdoor education classes and will work with you to choose the best classes for your group. Some favorite classes our school groups enjoy are:
- Shelter Building
- Geodesic Dome Construction
- Night Hikes
- Campfire Building and Outdoor Cooking
- Archery
- Horseback Riding
- Creek Exploration
- Hot Air Balloon Construction
- Team Building
Staff
DuBois Center provides qualified and trained staff to lead students in all activities. Our staff come from varied backgrounds which allows for our instructors to teach in areas they are passionate about, providing more in-depth learning for students.
Join Our Team
Check out our employment page if you are interested in joining the Nature’s Classroom team, or contact DuBois Center for more information.