ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Brochure 1

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 22: Environmental Education
Brochure 1
Sketches by Mary Rogers
c. 1971

[ee_brochure_001a.jpg]

TAGS: Environmental Education brochures, Mary Rogers, drawings from nature, facilities, daily schedules, maps, teaching staff, eligibility, cost to bring a group, workshops, Peter Westover, Vernon Conley

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Brochure 1

The Environmental Education program at Pine Mountain Settlement School officially began in 1972, carrying on one of the School’s educational missions since its founding. Throughout its 100+ years, the School consistently incorporated environmentalism in its curriculum to remind staff and students of their beautiful and fragile shared environment.

The following brochure was one of two designed to introduce schools to the Environmental Education program at PMSS. The illustrations on the front cover and the last page were done by Mary Rogers, a PMSS staff member from 1942 until 1993 and wife of PMSS Director Burton Rogers. These are some of many delightful drawings by Mary Rogers, each conveying the spirit of Pine Mountain Settlement School.

TRANSCRIPTION

001a

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Environmental Education Center
Phone (606) 558-4481
Pine Mountain, Ky. 40864

[Illustration of children and an adult on a path through the woods.]

Pine Mountain Settlement School, situated in Harlan County on the north side of Pine Mountain, is beginning in March 1972 a year-round program of environmental education for children and adults of the east Kentucky area. We plan for groups to visit for one- to five-day periods.

We invite you to get in touch with us about visits to the center. If you need additional information about the program, we will be glad to visit you or your group or to send explanatory material to you.

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WHY AN ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION CENTER?

Through activities at the center, we hope to encourage in participants a thorough enjoyment and appreciation of their natural surroundings. This can come through education in the knowledge and skills that people must have to understand, respect, and protect their natural heritage. We will use the outdoors as our classroom, and although we will incorporate traditional school disciplines such as writing, math, and reading, our emphasis will be on new ways of using these and on active participation in outdoor activities by each person.

FACILITIES

The school has 800 acres of land that runs across the broad valley at the head of Greasy Creek (the only remaining clean headwater of the Kentucky River) and up the north side of Pine Mountain to the summit ridge. Facilities include a four-room library, mountainside reservoir, pond, swimming pool, dormitory with space for 60, classroom buildings, playground, and dining and conference building. An 1870 log cabin is used as a museum for study of the area’s history.

TEACHING STAFF

Peter Westover, coordinator of the environmental program, is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry with a masters in forest ecology, and is experienced in conservation planning. Vernon Conley, half-time teacher for the program and liaison with county schools, is also half-time guidance counselor at Green Hills Elementary School and holds an A.B. in science education and a masters in elementary guidance.

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Mary Rogers, teacher and librarian, has 25 years experience in environmental education and work with children, with a B.A. from Oxford University and a diploma in education from London University, England. Additional staff will be added in coming months.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COME?

During the school year, priority will be given to elementary school groups from Harlan, Leslie, Letcher, Perry, Knott, Bell, Clay, and Knox Counties, but groups from surrounding areas are also welcome. A teacher or sponsor should accompany…

Map of the Kentucky counties mentioned above.]

…each group, and parents and assistants are welcome. We will meet with each teacher before his group comes, to discuss and plan the program activities that best suit the needs of his group, and to provide him with curriculum material. During the summer our emphasis will be on scout, church, 4-H, high school, college, adult, and other youth groups.

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WHAT DOES IT COST
TO BRING A GROUP

On weekdays the cost per person will be $1.25 per meal and $2 per night. We are seeking funds that will enable us to help visiting groups meet this cost, and generally we will not expect groups to provide the full amount themselves. We do encourage groups to find sponsors from their county or community who can help pay their way here. We expect county Boards of Education to provide round-trip bus transportation for school groups. Weekend rates will be slightly higher. We may have to alter all rates after the first year.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Groups will choose their own schedule of activities. Daily events may include: 1. Half-day or whole-day lessons in one or several of the following units: man and water; cave exploration; introduction to soil; weather; natural history of the valley; astronomy; stream and pond ecology; sensory hikes; and natural succession (change in natural communities). 2. Outdoor quiet hour. 3. Nature crafts, woodwork, and music. 4. Library activities. 5. Recreation such as hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and volleyball. Evenings will be taken up by flashlight hikes, folk dancing, films or slides, rap sessions, project work, and free time for art or reading.

WORKSHOPS

We will schedule periodic weekend workshops in environmental education for teachers, school administrators, and any other interested adults and college or high school students.

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Pine Mountain Settlement School
Environmental Education Center
Phone (606) 558-4481
Pine Mountain, Ky. 40864

[Illustration of a boy looking into a pool of water.]