Connecting Kids with Nature: It'll Grow on Them
Dublin Core
Title
Connecting Kids with Nature: It'll Grow on Them
Description
A problem facing the world today is the fact that children are becoming less and less
connected to nature due to their focus on technology. The goal of the project was to expose
children to nature using a variety of pathways such as photography, crafts, games, and education
through a partnership with the community based organization, Chippewa County 4-H.
Connecting Kids with Nature: It’ll Grow on Them, which was a summer nature photography
camp, provided children in Chippewa County with the opportunity to get out and explore nature.
The objectives of the summer camp were to incorporate education, outdoor exploration, and
photography; to give children a feeling of accomplishment; and to help children gain a greater
appreciation for their local nature environments. The subjects covered during the course of the
program were: producers, consumers, and decomposers, lichen; mosquitoes; seed dispersal; life
stages of a tree; water cycle; water pollution; water bugs and water quality; renewable energy;
water uses; invasive species; along with photography tips. Pre- and post-surveys were given to
both parents and the children to gain measurable feedback. The camp focused on engaging
participants through a combination of unstructured play and structured learning in order to help
maximize student growth in their understanding and appreciation of the environment. Overall the
children saw more opportunities for adventure and fun out in nature due to participation in the
program. At the end of the program a photo gallery of the children’s top photos was held to
expose the community to their work.
connected to nature due to their focus on technology. The goal of the project was to expose
children to nature using a variety of pathways such as photography, crafts, games, and education
through a partnership with the community based organization, Chippewa County 4-H.
Connecting Kids with Nature: It’ll Grow on Them, which was a summer nature photography
camp, provided children in Chippewa County with the opportunity to get out and explore nature.
The objectives of the summer camp were to incorporate education, outdoor exploration, and
photography; to give children a feeling of accomplishment; and to help children gain a greater
appreciation for their local nature environments. The subjects covered during the course of the
program were: producers, consumers, and decomposers, lichen; mosquitoes; seed dispersal; life
stages of a tree; water cycle; water pollution; water bugs and water quality; renewable energy;
water uses; invasive species; along with photography tips. Pre- and post-surveys were given to
both parents and the children to gain measurable feedback. The camp focused on engaging
participants through a combination of unstructured play and structured learning in order to help
maximize student growth in their understanding and appreciation of the environment. Overall the
children saw more opportunities for adventure and fun out in nature due to participation in the
program. At the end of the program a photo gallery of the children’s top photos was held to
expose the community to their work.
Creator
Gordon, Angela
Source
Biology
Publisher
Lake Superior State University
Date
2015
Contributor
Dr. Glowinski
Rights
Copyright Angela Gordon: all rights reserved. LSSU use only.
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
text.monograph
Identifier
S20220516002
Hyperlink Item Type Metadata
Files
Citation
Gordon, Angela, “Connecting Kids with Nature: It'll Grow on Them,” LSSU Student Research Projects, accessed May 17, 2024, https://seniorprojects.omeka.net/items/show/684.