“Wow! Look at this one!” Kelvin exclaimed, as he netted another macro invertebrate during a Wetland Ecology lesson at FLOC’s Outdoor Education Center (OEC). Kelvin’s enthusiasm for discovering living things in the wetlands on the OEC property was matched by the 55 Leaders in Action (LIA) students who visited the OEC over the course of the summer. Wading in streams and ponds with nets, buckets and water testing kits, these students explored different aquatic ecosystems to determine their relative health. They learned about the importance of wetlands, how humans are impacting them and actions they can take to curb their destruction.

As OEC Staff Naturalists taught about wetland ecology, they also emphasized the interconnectedness of all aspects of the natural world. Through hands-on, experiential activities, LIA students explored how the health of a particular wetland can impact plants, animals and other ecosystems. Students applied this knowledge during Forest Ecology and Wildlife Ecology lessons, as they learned about forest succession, food webs and water cycles.

LIA students also learned about human ties to natural environments. They learned about alternative and sustainable energy, playing games at wind and solar energy learning stations. At mealtimes they learned about natural resource use and waste, and they learned the importance of recycling and composting.

By spending a week immersed in nature and learning about the environment, students became “Junior Naturalists.” As Junior Naturalists, they set off on an offsite canoeing, backpacking, camping and rock climbing adventure on the Shenandoah River. On their trip, they encountered different wetland environments, saw a wide range of wildlife and saw human impacts on the environment, thereby reinforcing the lessons they learned at the OEC.

For LIA students, the OEC experience goes beyond exploration of the natural world. From the time they arrived at the OEC until the time they left, students were engaged in activities that focused on personal and group growth. They played teambuilding games and cheered for each other on the high and low ropes courses. They taught and learned from each other. They tried new things. They encouraged each other to challenge themselves and to take safe, positive risks.

By exploring, learning, teaching, playing, doing, adventuring and embracing challenges, LIA students gained valuable tools and knowledge that will help them throughout their lives.