Environmental Education

 

What does canoeing next to a beaver dam, feeling wildlife bones, and coring a red cedar have to do with our Catholic faith? Fifth and sixth grade students at Camp Hamilton’s Environmental Education program get to experience science through a Catholic lens using Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, and supporting the Next Generation Science Standards.

This 3 day residential camping program calls students to apply the science lessons and environmental stewardship beyond Camp Hamilton to your schools and communities.

Environmental Education Program Goals: Students will…

  • Connect with their environment through scientific observation, investigations, and experiential immersion in this beautiful wilderness surrounding Lake Hannan.

  • Connect the Catholic faith to the natural world around them.

  • Develop appreciation for the mind-blowing and spirit-lifting complexity of wilderness.

  • Participate in cooperative learning groups and problem solving in a rigorous scientific setting.

We are hiring

We are hiring Teacher-Naturalists for Spring 2024. Do you know someone who would be great?

Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching

The Environmental Education program at Camp Hamilton creates an experience rooted in Catholic spirituality and social teaching. The words of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, guide each lesson, calling students to be stewards of God’s creation.

Dynamic morning and evening prayer experiences shape the day, and the visit typically concludes with a celebration of mass to send us forth from camp to our parishes, schools, and communities. Faith-based values are incorporated into all facets of our program.

Academic FocusStudents spend a large portion of time each day in Exploration Groups out in the field participating in lessons based in scientific observation and investigation.  The curriculum supports the Next Generation Science Standards, Catholic Schools Learning Expectations and Benchmarks, and Framework for Environmental Education Guidelines produced by the Washington State Office for Environmental Education. The curriculum was created in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle Office for Catholic Schools.Curriculum Overview (v. 2021)

Academic Focus

Students spend a large portion of time each day in Exploration Groups out in the field, participating in lessons based in scientific observation and investigation.  The curriculum supports the Next Generation Science Standards, Catholic Schools Learning Expectations and Benchmarks, and Framework for Environmental Education Guidelines produced by the Washington State Office for Environmental Education. The curriculum was created in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle Office for Catholic Schools.

Building CommunityOur program is grounded in community and cooperative community building. Students will learn the value of treating others with dignity and respect, the benefits of teamwork, and accept personal responsibility for maintaining and conserving the community. We work to generate awareness of commonalities between diverse groups of people while appreciating differences.

Building Community

Our program is grounded in community, and cooperative community building. Students will learn the value of treating others with dignity and respect, the benefits of teamwork, and accept personal responsibility for maintaining and conserving the community. We work to generate awareness of commonalities between diverse groups of people while appreciating differences.

 
 

Questions? Contact the CYO office at 425-333-6135