Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 • Richmond School keeps outdoor education alive
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 edition of the Lassen County Times.
Richmond School students had the opportunity to explore local surroundings during an outdoor education camp held at Eagle Lake.
During the three day, two-night trip, school superintendent Cindy Nellums said students participated in variety of things such as identifying leaves, plants and wildlife and learning about directional orienteering — maps and Global Positioning System.
Richmond School sixth-graders Maddy Camacho, left, and Wyatt Bollinger help with kitchen duties at Richmond School’s outdoor education camp.The camp was held at the Lassen County Youth Camp owned by the Lassen County Office of Education. On the first day, students and counselors were dropped off and they hiked four miles to get to the facility while doing a series of activities along the way.
Offering the camp was a way to keep the outdoor sixth grade education camp alive. The Lassen County Office of Education used to run the camp and provided staffing. However, County Superintendent of Schools said the funding was cut for the program.
During an outdoor education camp, Alyssa Mineau, left, Lauren Carlton and Erinn Zubillaga learn about maps.One of the reasons Nellums gave as to why it is important to keep the program going is because it locks into the sixth-grade state standards.
She also said, “Despite our location, there are students who haven’t gone camping.”
The camp, Nellums said, provides students the opportunity to learn about their local geography and extra hands-on learning.
Mikalya Wristen uses the microscope during a session at Richmond School’s outdoor education camp.Camp participants also created a camp journal, performed campfire skits, kept track of their food waste, built sand castles on the beach and learned about fire safety and astronomy.
Nellums said the event was run similar to LCOE’s camp, but it had to be modified due to fewer resources.
She said the school tried to keep the cost low at $40 and LCOE provided the camp facilities rent-free.
According to Nellums, 27 students, six counselors and 12 adults attended the camp.
Greg Sella, Richmond School facilities director, prepared the food. Fifth-grade teacher Bob Nielson and eighth-grade teacher Minette Hutchinson attended the camp and Janiska Nordstrom was the third lead on activities as well as the first-aid provider.
More information
In an e-mail sent to school staff, County Superintendent of Schools Jud Jensen explained why the Lassen County Office of Education Outdoor Camp had to be cut.
In the past, Jensen said the program was funded with forest reserve funds, LCOE general fund dollars, revenue from the $55 per student charge and Federal Title III money provided by Lassen County.
When Congress reauthorized the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act Jensen said it changed the rules governing how Title III funds can be spent.
“The money can no longer be used for educational purposes. In addition, forest reserve funds have been drastically reduced,” he said.
Jensen also said, “The LCOE, like every other education agency in California, has had an approximate 20 percent reduction in state apportionment in the last three years, and it is no longer business as usual. We are struggling to continue to provide essential services. Every program that is not mandated and does not have an adequate revenue stream is being cut back or eliminated.”
