Camp Foley

About the Enviromental Education Center

EEC logo

Introduction

Foley Environmental Education Center, located on Whitefish Lake near Pine River, MN, is full of growth and activity each spring. Buds producing new leaves on the trees, birds returning to their summer habitat, and new life being produced are included in the background for an unforgettable learning experience for Minnesota fifth and sixth graders. Boys and girls from across the state have been coming to the Environmental Center since 1970 toweather learn about the environment and themselves. After a week of group living and learning in this natural setting, students come away with environmental skills and knowledge, new friendships, feelings of growing self-reliance, and a greater sense of self. Students at Foley's Environmental Education Center take home with them new knowledge of their environment and themselves--valuable knowledge that can help shape their lives and complement any school program. The Center has planned activities that provide the best in environmental understanding, education and fun. Students are kept active as they explore and learn out-of-doors. 

Curriculum

Through interpretive games, identification exercises, and observational and experiential experiences students will learn about plant and animal life and their interrelations. The forest, pond and swamp ecosystems will be studied. Microscopic organisms found in pond water will be viewed under microscopes. Students will be able to learn microsabout wildlife such as the Timber Wolf and Raptors through interactive classes where they will be able to see and feel a stuffed Wolf, Great-Horned Owl and Red-Tailed Hawk. Handling and discussing skulls and live snakes are memorable experiences.

Orienteering skills will be taught and then tested on courses that wind through the woods. Students will participate in conservation projects, such as, tree planting, composting, and construction of bat and owl houses that may vary from week to week. By attending the weather station twice daily, students learn to read related instruments and interpret the weather.

Students at the Environmental Center will take a step back in time. Through a living history experience, students will get a taste of what 11-12 year old Native American children experienced in their villages: making of fry bread,woodskills listening to legends and stories of the Chippewa and Sioux tribes, playing games or learning sign language. Students will also learn some of the skills used by Minnesota pioneers: firebuilding, soapmaking, and whittling. A stop at the Mille Lac Indian Museum enroute home complements what students experience of the climbinglives of Minnesota Native Americans and pioneers.

Students will learn basic watercraft safety and canoe skills. These skills will then be used to explore Hidden Lake, a beautiful location to view foxes, herons, loons, and other area wildlife. In addition, a recreation period allows students to work on their canoeing skills or to choose to participate in activities such as archery, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

As with any program based in the outdoors, activities will vary slightly from week to week due to variations in the weather.

Availability

If you know of a school who would like information or could benefit from this program, please contact us. The cost is $120.00 for a five day program. About 80 to 100 students join us each week. There is between one and five schools per week depending on the size of the class.

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