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School, Pre-school and Middle School Programs at The Outdoor Campus

 

2008

PRESCHOOLS
Elementary Classrooms
MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Professional Development
Opportunities for Teachers

 

Fall 2008Preschool Programs

The Outdoor Campus Staff and volunteers teach a variety of fun, outdoor-education programs for preschoolers. Our goal is to increase children’s  awareness of and appreciation for the outdoors and nature. For information regarding program registration refer to the registration form in this brochure.

Procedure for Application for The Outdoor Campus Fall Preschool Programs

We will be offering programming four days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the weeks of September 9th –November 21st. 

 1. Fill out the application form completely. You can drop it off at The Outdoor Campus in person; mail it to 4500 S. Oxbow Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, 57106; fax it to (605) 362-2704; pull up our website at www.outdoorcampus.org and complete it online; or simply call and we will take the information over the telephone. This must be done by 5:00 p.m. on August 22nd to get in the first drawing. Any slots still open will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2. Each teacher must apply for his/her own classroom.

3. Each teacher is allowed to attend one program per school year. 

4. On August 25th, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Campus staff will select names randomly and number them in the order drawn. 

5.  The fall schedule will then be filled in, beginning with application number 1 and continuing until all slots are filled or all applications are scheduled.  Any  remaining slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Everyone will be contacted within the next week concerning registration. Confirmation will come via mail.       

register here    

Feathered Friends
In this program, preschoolers will discover the amazing world of birds through several hands-on activities. Meet Flopper, our   resident blue jay. Sing a song and make a bird feeder to take home to the feathered friends in your backyard.  (1 hour)

Ladybugs
Discover the world of ladybugs. See a puppet show, sing a song, make a tasty ladybug snack and play a game. (1hour)

Silly Snakes
Learn about South Dakota’s snakes. See a puppet show, sing a song, make a snake craft, and, if you’re brave enough, feel a live snake.  (1 hour)

My First Fish
Visit our 3000-gallon aquarium at feeding time and meet the South Dakota fish that live at the Outdoor Campus. Play a game, have a “fishy” snack, and discover what makes a fish a fish. (1 hour)

Animal Senses
Preschoolers will learn how animals hear, touch, smell, taste and see through games and activities. Sing a frog song, guess what is in the “feely bag,”  experience the smells of nature, and go on a short   nature hike. (1 hour)

Furry Animals
Discover the furry animals of South   Dakota. Sing a song, see a puppet show, feel some animal furs, and play a    critter game. Then take a short hike to look for furry       animals. (1 hour)

Bison – King of the Prairie
See a puppet show, sing a song and learn about the prairie’s largest mammal through hands-on activities. (1 hour)

Do the Locomotion
Hop like a rabbit, waddle like a duck and run like a fox. With songs and games, discover how critters move. Meet some live critters and watch them     waddle, slither, and hop. (1 hour)

Terrific Trees
Discover our largest plants – trees! See a puppet show, sing a song, play a game, and make a craft. (1 hour)

Happy Hoppers
Learn about frogs and toads at The  Outdoor Campus. Meet live animals, see a puppet show and make a craft. Take a hike and search for “hoppers.” (1 hour)

Bat Buddies
What bats live in South Dakota? Are they our friends? What do they eat and where do they live? Come learn about these fascinating creatures. Sing a song, see a puppet show and make a craft. (1 hour)

Turtle Tales
Learn about these fascinating reptiles—turtles. Hear a story and meet live turtles. Make a craft and go on a turtle hunt. (1 hour)

 

Preschool Fun in Nature (F.I.N.) Day

What is F.I.N. Day?
F.I.N. day is an opportunity for preschoolers to experience a   variety of outdoor activities designed to develop their      awareness of the natural world around them.

When is F.I.N. Day?
F.I.N. Day will be held Tuesday, September 16th  and Wednesday, September 17th. You can sign your preschoolers up for either morning, 9:30-11:45. A total of 40 preschoolers will be accepted for each session.

Who can come to F.I.N. Day?
Children ages 4 and 5 who attend an organized preschool are eligible to participate. Each group of ten children must be accompanied by one adult chaperone.

How do I register my preschoolers?
Registration begins August 11th-August 22th.  Fill out the regular preschool application in this brochure. Write F.I.N. Day in the “program requested” blank. Once registered, preschool teachers will meet with The Outdoor Campus staff for an explanation of schedules and other details. Your special  questions can be answered at that time as well.

How long will we be at The Outdoor Campus on F.I.N. Day?
Children will rotate through six different 20-minute stations during the 2-hour session. The Outdoor Campus staff will organize the children into groups at the beginning of the session.

 

NEW THIS SEASON!!!

Preschoolers will experience the ‘Animals as Architects’ interactive exhibit while focusing on habitats.  Sessions will include ‘Down by the Pond’, ‘In the Deep Woods’,  ‘In the Tall, Tall Grass’, and others.

Keys to Success:
In filling out the form, select 3-4 possible dates in case someone ahead of you has chosen your first date.

You may apply for only one program and one time slot per classroom, per school year.

Group Size: To provide quality programming, the  maximum class size for most programs has been set at 20 students. The minimum number of students is 10.

Cost: There are no fees for these programs. Thank a hunter or angler for supporting these education  programs. 

Cancellations: Please notify us of all cancellations or adjustments to numbers as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. 

Chaperones: We encourage chaperone participation to assist with supervision of students. We request a 1 to 10 ratio for all field trips.

Additional Sertoma Park Opportunities: While visiting Sertoma Park, there are several other opportunities for your students. The park has an excellent multi-age playground, sound tubes, whisper dish, and geodome. There are also over two miles of trails for hiking. In addition, the Sertoma Butterfly House is available at reduced student rates of $1.50/student for the flight room experience or $2.00/student for flight room and program. A visit to the Sertoma   Butterfly House requires separate scheduling with  them.  (334-9466)

         

Contact information

The Outdoor Campus

4500 S. Oxbow Ave.

Sioux Falls  SD  57106

(605-362-2777)

Fax (605) 362-2704

Email: toc@state.sd.us

Web site: www.outdoorcampus.org

 register here

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Elementary to 8th Grade Programs

register here

Fall 2008 Elementary Program Options 

School groups can select from the following programs. Be sure to read the registration information. Call (605) 362-2777 for more information.

K – 1st  Furry Animals
What kind of furry animals live in South Dakota?  We’ll sing a song, feel some animals’ furs, play a critter game and go outdoors to look for animals and their homes. (1 hour)

K – 1st  Terrific Trees
Learn about our largest plants—trees. Through games and hands-on activities, discover what kind of trees grow in South Dakota, what they need to survive and why they are good for us. ( 1 hour)

K – 2nd  Slithering Snakes
Are they slimy? Why do they shed? Play a game, make a craft and get up close to some of our native crawlers! (1-1.5 hours)

K-2nd Bats! Bats! Bats!
Discover the world of bats. What bats live in South Dakota? Are they blind? Play some games, make a craft, and see a puppet show. (1-1.5 hours)

K-5th Animal Architects
Discover amazing animal builders. Investigate nests to lodges, play a game, and take an animals homes’ hike. Experience the  interactive ‘Animals as Architects’ exhibit. (September only) (1-1.5 hours) 

1st-2nd  Leave It To Beaver
Meet South Dakota’s master dam builder. Enter the wet world of the beaver. Take a hike and find traces of this fascinating aquatic mammal.  Discover the beaver’s special adaptations and skills through the use of skins, skulls and fun activities.  (1.5 hours)

1st-2nd  What’s for Dinner?
What’s on the dinner plate of critters that live in South Dakota? Learn about food chains and food webs through hands-on activities and games.  (1.5 hours)

2nd-3rd Fun With Amphibians
Can frogs sing?  Do toads give you warts?  Discover amphibians that live at The Outdoor Campus through games, a hike and hands-on activities.  Learn about the life cycles of these unique creatures.  (1.5 hours)

2nd-3rd Wonder of Seeds
Discover the magical world of seeds, where they come from and how they travel.  Go on a seed finding hunt, play a seed identification game and plant a seed of a common South Dakota plant to take home.  (1.5 hours)

2nd-3rd Wet and Wild
Discover the wonders of the prairie wetlands.  Play a game, make a craft and experience the importance of this prairie pothole region.  (1.5 hours)

2nd-3rd Life on the Prairie
Come and explore the prairie habitat. Learn what lives and grows on the prairie. Play some games, take a hike and enjoy prairie life.  (1.5 hours)

2nd-3rd Going, Going, Gone
Who’s disappearing from our planet and why?  What’s meant by the different classifications—threatened, endangered and extinct?  Play a game and do activities that highlight some of South Dakota’s disappearing wildlife. Learn what you can do to help.  (1.5 hours)

3rd-5th Beaks, Feet, and Feathers
What makes a bird a bird? Learn how different birds use their beak, feet and feather adaptations to survive in their unique habitat. Meet Flopper, our resident blue jay, and learn about her story of survival. Make a bird feeder to take home and go on a nature hike to discover some of the different birds that live around the oxbow.  (2 hours)

3rd-5th Home is Where the Habitat Is
Get to know some of our wildlife and what habitats they call home with games and fun hands-on activities. Learn what wildlife and people need to survive. Feed our fish and go on a hike outdoors to discover signs of wildlife habitats. (1.5 hours)

4th-5th  Radical Reptiles
Enter the world of South Dakota’s reptiles. Learn about their special adaptations. Play a game and make a reptile craft. Get up close and personal with some of these fascinating, cold-blooded creatures.  (2 hours)

4th-5th  Bloomin’ Botonist
Learn through games, hands on activities, and outside explorations all about the plants that grow throughout South Dakota. Plant a prairie flower and learn about the grasses and other amazing plants that live in this special ecosystem. flower(2 hours)

4th-5th  Going Batty
Are bats blind? Can they get caught in your hair? How do they communicate? Learn the answers to these questions and a lot more through games, activities and a hike.  (2 hours)

4th-5th  Prairie Partners
Through games and hands-on activities discover what lives and grows on the prairie. Take a hike and play a game to identify prairie plants and animals. Learn about the wonders of the prairie ecosystem as it was long ago and as it is today. (2 hours)

4th – 6th Owls: Who Gives Hoot
Enter the world of the owl—modern day raptor. Learn about food chains and dissect an owl pellet to determine what was eaten. (2 hours)      

4th-6th  Lewis and Clark Adventures
Two hundred years ago, Lewis and Clark made their way along the Missouri River through today’s South Dakota. Come along with “Capt. Lewis” and “Capt. Clark” to learn the history and some of the skills it took to be an early explorer. Make a nature journal, learn to navigate by magnetic compass, describe plants and find out about the animals the Corps of Discovery encountered as they discovered what President Jefferson bought with the Louisiana Purchase.  (2 hours)

4th – 8th Tracks and Traces
Using actual pelts, skulls, antlers and other artifacts, learn about the critters that call South Dakota home. Learn to identify animal tracks and about predator-prey relationships. Hike the trails to look for signs of animals and make a plaster cast of an animal’s track to take home. (2 hours)

4th-8th  Dakota Fish
Get to know our fishy neighbors. We will meet The Outdoor Campus fish at feeding time. Practice casting and learn to tie fishing knots and the other skills and information you will need to have a fun and successful fishing trip. Finish up by trying your luck in our very own fishin’ hole out back. (2 hours)

5th-8th  Wetland Ecology
South Dakota’s wetlands are special habitats important to wildlife and humans. Play a fun game to learn all about sustainable use of this vital natural resource. Explore the ecology of our very own wetland environment, the Big Sioux River oxbow, with collection nets and specimen jars.  (2 hours)

5th-8th  GPS Adventure
Students will learn the basics of GPS operation, satellites and their location. They will explore uses of the GPS and get hands-on experience with a GPS unit. (2 hours)

5th-8th  Orienteering Adventures
Orienteering is a fun, challenging, healthy activity that stresses map reading skills and decision making. Learn how to use the information shown on a map together with a simple-to-understand magnetic compass to run an orienteering course. Experience the thrill of completing one of the many orienteering courses set up around The Outdoor Campus. (1.5 hours)

Creep Fest!

An Opportunity for Third and Fourth Graders

What:  Creep Fest is a day designed to educate students and teachers about the “creepy” creatures that inhabit South Dakota. Students will rotate through stations, learning about such creatures as bats, spiders, snakes and many more! 

Who:  Creep Fest is geared to third and fourth graders. Up to 60 students will be able to attend. 

When: Creep Fest will be held Friday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What will we learn at Creep Fest?
Through hands-on activities, games and crafts, we will explore life cycles, adaptations and unique aspects of things that go “bump, day or night.” All sessions are aligned with the science standards.

Students will experience Creep Fest through fun games, songs, exhibits, and lots of hands-on activities. 

What do I need to bring?
Each student, teacher, and chaperone should bring a sack lunch. There will be time for lunch between the morning and afternoon sessions.

How do I register for Creep Fest?
Fill out a regular school application. Write Creep Fest on the “program requested” line.

Application Procedure for School Programs

We will be offering programming four days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the weeks of September 9th-November 21st. 

Fill out the application form completely. You can drop it off at The Outdoor Campus in person; mail it to 4500 S. Oxbow Ave.,  Sioux Falls, SD  57106; fax it to (605) 362-2704; pull up our web site at www.outdoorcampus.org and complete it online; or simply call and we will take the information over the telephone. This must be done by 5:00 p.m. on August 22nd to get in the first drawing. Any slots still open will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Each teacher must apply for his/her own classroom. In the event that you are bringing two classrooms on the same bus, teachers will need to plan alternative activities for one of the classrooms for part of the time since Outdoor Campus staff can  accommodate only one class at a time. Please indicate this exception on the application form.

Each teacher is allowed to attend one program per school year.

On August 25th, beginning at 8:00 a.m., Campus staff will select name randomly and number them in the order drawn. The fall schedule will then be filled in, beginning with application number 1 and continuing until all slots are filled or all applications are scheduled. Any remaining slots will be filled on a first-come/first-serve basis.

If the schedule fills before everyone has been scheduled, those remaining will be put on a waiting list for that season.

Everyone will be contacted within the next week concerning registration. Confirmation will come via mail.

Keys to Success:
In filling out the form, select 3-4 possible dates in case someone ahead of you has chosen your first date. If you are riding on a bus, applications can be filled out for a maximum of two classrooms. You may apply for only one program and one time slot per classroom per school year. 

 Group Size: To provide quality programming, the maximum class size for most programs has been set at 30 students. The minimum number of students is 10.

 Cost: There are no fees for these programs. Thank a hunter or angler for supporting these education experiences.

 Cancellations: Please notify us of all cancellations or adjustments to numbers as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. 

 Chaperones: We encourage chaperones’ participation to assist with supervision of students. We request a 1 to 10 ratio for all field trips.

 Additional Sertoma Park Opportunities: While visiting Sertoma Park, there are several other opportunities for your students.  The park has an excellent multi-age playground, sound tubes, whisper dish and geodome.  There are also over two miles of trails for hiking.  In addition, the Sertoma Butterfly House is available at reduced student rates of $1.50/student for the flight room experience or $2.00/student for flight room and program. (334-9466)

On Your Own Visits

School and preschool groups may visit our museum and grounds on their own. This option is popular with groups who are unable to schedule a field trip led by our staff.

The following guidelines will make your trip successful:

Please call and schedule your group in advance. This prevents conflicts with other groups and programs at The Outdoor Campus. Plan 15 to 20 minutes for visits to the museum. Groups that use the grounds must remain in designated areas and on the trails. A touch table containing furs, skulls, and other artifacts for younger students is available near the front of the museum. You may request scavenger hunt cards for younger children to use in the museum or out on our trails.

How we meet state and national science standards: http://www.outdoorcampus.org/classesschopre.htm

Borrow These Teaching Tools
The Outdoor Campus has crates of pelts, skulls, tracks, books, and activities available for use in classrooms, libraries, camps, Scout and church groups, or after-school programs.

           Mammal Crate A                        Mammal Crate B

            Endangered Species Crate         Grasslands/Sod Box

            Prairie Crate                              Tree Trunk

            Elk Crate                                   Bat Crate

            Beaver Crate                              Coyote Crate    

            GPS Crate                                In-town Crate

            Wetlands Crate

                        *Means the crate must be picked up and cannot be shipped. 

A $75 deposit in the form of a check or money order to The Outdoor Campus is required for each crate requested and will be held until the crate and contents are returned are returned in good condition. The deposit will then be returned or shredded. Contact information is below.

 

Contact information

The Outdoor Campus

4500 S. Oxbow Ave.

Sioux Falls  SD  57106

(605-362-2777)

Fax (605) 362-2704

Email: toc@state.sd.us

Web site: www.outdoorcampus.org

 

Middle School Days
 

Registration August 15 to 22

2008 Fall Middle School Days

The mission of middle school days is to provide an opportunity for students in grades 6 through 8 to experience a variety of hands-on activities that will enhance their own sense of place in the natural world. In addition, they will be exposed to several skills common to South Dakota outdoors, such as fishing and outdoor cooking. Scientific procedures including collection, identification and evaluation are also taught.

How many students can come each day?
The Outdoor Campus can accommodate up to 70 students each day.  For larger schools, that may mean coming over a two day period. Some schools may be able to bring a whole grade level. Smaller schools can combine grade levels to bring the maximum number or they may be able to join another small school for the day.

When are Middle School Days?
This fall, Middle School Days will be held on the following Thursdays: September 11th, 25th,October 9th and 23rd, and November 6th and 13th.

How much does it cost?
All of the activities are free. Thank a hunter or angler for supporting these educational experiences.  

How long will we be at The Outdoor Campus?
Students will be at The Outdoor Campus from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  During that time they will rotate through 5 stations. Also included is a 30 minute lunch break. Each student should bring a sack lunch. 

What are my responsibilities?
In addition to preparing your students for this experience, you must provide a minimum of 5 chaperones.

How many times can I come to Middle School Days?
Due to the popularity of this day, schools are allowed to participate in middle school days once a school year. We do offer these days every season (Fall, Winter, and Spring).

The following options will be available for participating schools. Once selected, you will meet with the program coordinator and decide which sessions you would like offered. In the event of inclement weather, alternative sessions will be planned.

Outdoor Cooking
This session focuses on the basics of fire building and safety, the “how to” of outdoor cooking, and testing some tasty snacks. Different cooking techniques will be demonstrated and tried.

Fishing
Learn the basics of fishing, necessary equipment, casting techniques, as well as fishing ethics. Then try catching some fish at our pond. 

Nature Hike
Practice observation skills, investigate nature at The Outdoor Campus, or sharpen your bird-watching. Hike on the trails or through the prairie and discover who shares this space.

Skins and Skulls
Enter the animal kingdoms and investigate who eats what through the use of skulls. Identify adaptations that aid in survival in the animal world. 

Orienteering
Learn map and compass skills and how to integrate them both in finding one’s way. Experience the orienteering course at The Outdoor Campus.

Going WILD at TOC
Investigate South Dakota’s natural resources and the conservation of them through activities taken from Project WILD.

Mystery Tree Challenge
Join in the fun of investigating plant classification. Discover how scientists classify trees. Be a tree detective, sorting through clues to identify your tree sample.

Sertoma Butterfly House Experience
If you would like to take time in your day to visit the Sertoma Butterfly house, this can become one of the stations. The cost is $2/student plus tax unless sales tax exempt. It is a wonderful look at butterflies and moths from around the world.

Application Procedure for Fall Middle School Programs

We will be offering middle school days six Thursdays this season.  They are September 11th and 25th, October 9th and 23rd,  November 6th and 13th.  

Fill out the application form completely. You can drop it off at The Outdoor Campus in person; mail it to 4500 S. Oxbow Ave., Sioux Falls, SD  57106; fax it to (605) 362-2704; call us at (605) 362-2777 and give us the information over the phone or complete it online at www.outdoorcampus.org. This must be done by 5p.m. on August 22nd to get in the first drawing.

Each grade is allowed to attend one middle school day per school year from this brochure.

On August 25th, TOC staff will randomly select names and number them, in the order drawn.

The fall schedule will be filled starting with application  number 1 and continuing until all middle school day slots are filled or all applications are scheduled. Any remaining slots will be filled on a first-come/first–serve basis. 

Everyone will be contacted within the next week concerning registration.