“Thank you so much for an amazing night Monday. The kids haven’t stopped talking about it. Everyone was fantastic” – High Needs School teacher participant
Words like these convey the meaningful impact that field trips to the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA) can have on students who without funding grants do not get to participate.
For the past two years, the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) has supported us in making it more affordable for students from high needs schools to experience outdoor conservation learning at the ASCCA. High needs schools face financial constraints that can make it a challenge for them to participate in programs outside of the school. We seek funding to support visits from these schools as we feel strongly that students should be able to benefit from hands- on learning in nature, regardless the challenges and restrictions they may face. With schools across Alberta dealing with increasingly limited budgets, it is more important than ever that we give those schools who already have limited funds a helping hand so that their students can visit the ASCCA.
Since 2018, over 800 students from high needs schools have been able to attend our programs with help from the ACA. Outdoor learning is especially important for these students, as many of them do not have the opportunity to spend time in nature outside of their school yards. It is our goal to give as many students as we can experiences like quietly watching deer, walking through a peaceful aspen forest, or marveling at the intricate details of the patterns of a snow crystal.
Students from a recent high needs school visit explored the importance of preserving dark skies, as part of a joint- program with the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
A few students shared their experience with us.
“The most important thing I learned yesterday was how light pollution can be harmful to animals. I was excited to learn about different constellations because near my house the sky is always a little cloudy, and I can’t see the constellations properly. But at the observatory, the sky was so clear and I loved it! It was also very cool when I got to see Orian’s Nebula through the telescope.”
“I learnt that if you look south of the Northern Hemisphere you can see Orion’s belt. I was excited about the constellation because I would be able to find it easily. I also learned about how bats hunt for their food. I was excited because it seemed really really cool.”
A principal from another high needs school shared feedback with us.
“Many of our students have physical and or developmental disabilities, which causes them difficulties in many or all aspects of life, especially in language, mobility, ability to learn, understanding and use of information, self-help, independent living and social skills. With the ACA grant, almost every classroom at our school will be given the opportunity to have an outdoor field trip experience and an opportunity for students to do and see things that they might not be able to experience in their family life.
Thank you again for supporting our school and students.”
We would like to thank the ACA, the teachers and students who participated in our programs as well as our wonderful education volunteers who with their enthusiasm and love for learning have helped to create lasting and inspiring memories in nature.
