Additional Programs
Add or combine any of the following programs to your field trip day or combine a few to create a rewarding day at Lacawac. Times and fees adjusted to your schedule.
Art and Nature
Grade: 1 - 5
Put the A in STEAM. Grade appropriate activities are provided in which students use observation skills to create artwork using nature as a template. Topics to choose from include color, patterns, nature journaling, and Andrew Goldsworthy inspirations.
Fishing
Grade: 4 - 12
Students are instructed on the types of fish found in Pennsylvania, fish habitats, safety, equipment, outdoor manners, and protecting our water resources. Each participant learns basic fishing skills and gets to put those skills to use by learning to tie a fishing knot, practice casting, and trying to catch a fish in Heron Pond. Maximum 20 students at a time.
Magic Spots
Grade: K - 4
Research overwhelmingly supports the positive affects of unstructured play and connections to nature. Children today are rarely given the opportunity to spend time alone, to discover and observe the natural world on their own. During this program, students are given the opportunity to spend time "alone" in the forest to make observations. Each student chooses a "magic" spot to spend an age appropriate amount of time in which they first get the wiggles out, then the boredom before settling into a time of quiet observation. It truly is magical to observe students quietly engaged in nature observation.
Forest Bathing
Grade: 4 -12
A guided slow walk in the woods that focuses on a mind-body immersion practice of beathing in the forest. During this experience, student will be guided through observation and breathing techniques. Shinrin-Yoku, otherwise know as Forest Bathing. In the 1980s Japanese scientists began searching for ways to minimize all the negative impacts that urbanization was having on individuals and society as a whole. They discovered that a two- to three-hour immersion in which one relaxes and breathes in the natural chemistry of a forest, can reduce stress levels, improve mood, increase restfulness, and boost one’s immune system. They called this practice “Shinrin-yoku” which literally translates “forest bath,” the art of taking in the atmosphere of the forest.
Canoeing
Grade: 6 - 12
Paddle on beautiful Lake Lacawac. Students are given instruction on water safety, paddling techniques, and fitted into lifejackets. This is a unique opportunity to paddle on what is considered the most pristine glacial lake in North America. Students are given a brief background on glaciation, lake ecology, and the current research happening on the lake. Maximum 20 students per time period.
Geocaching / Map and Compass
Grades 5 - 10
Use our GPS units to learn skills and find geocaches at Lacawac. Students learn and practice a fun and useful skills with a map and compass. Students use local topographic maps to find geologic features, read contour lines and legend symbols, orient the map with a compass, and match a location on the map to a location at Lacawac. Choose one or both depending on group size and time.
Team Building
Grade: 3 - 12
Team Building programs consist of a series of challenging outdoor problems designed to foster leadership, self-confidence, communication, and teamwork within the class/group. The program requires participation of all team members to plan and execute the solutions to physically and mentally stimulating tasks. Each group’s Team Building experience will be designed to suit the ages and abilities of the group. The focus of the program is on the process, so the number of activities completed may vary.
For more information and to schedule a field trip contact:
Phone: 570–689–9494
Email: natalie.wasilchak@lacawac.org
