Environmental Education

 

2025 Dates + Rates

NEW LOCATION - CAMP DON BOSCO: March 31-April 9

CAMP HAMILTON: April 21-May 30

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS

COST: $180/Student, Teachers & Chaperones/FREE

Generous Scholarships Available

 

Please use the form below for more Details, and to book your adventure

 

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 CYO’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 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 a personal connection to God’s Creation.

  • Participate in cooperative learning groups and problem solving in a supportive community setting.

hiring

We are always on the lookout for excellent Teacher-Naturalists! We will begin hiring for Spring 2025 in November 2024. Do you know someone who would be great? Please have them reach out.

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.


Teacher Information

 
 

Meet the seasonal environmental education team!

Garrett Hendricks

Seasonal Environmental Education Director

Garrett returns to the CYO Camps fold after five years away living in Tennessee. From 2011-2020 Garrett served in various roles with CYO Camps both as a seasonal and full time staff. From 2015-2019 he served as the Assistant Director of the Environmental Ed program where he cultivated a passion for connecting young people with environmental science and outdoor recreation. He also has a dedication to education as his father, Andy Hendricks serves as Dean of Students at Seattle Prep and his mother, Robin Hendricks acts as Director of Campus Ministry at Assumption St. Bridget. Outside of camps Garrett has lived an eclectic life as a singer songwriter and recording artist in Nashville, an avid outdoorsman, fly fisherman, and a farm/ranch hand.