This Fall, Boone County Extension partnered with Boone County schools to provide an unforgettable, hands-on experience to 685 Boone County students, teachers, and chaperones.  These individuals were able to learn about their environment through guided, exploratory programs such as night hikes, pond ecosystems, KY wildlife, live animal encounters and so much more.  Students and chaperones learned about healthy ecosystem, adaptations, and how their behaviors impact them.  Programs follow Next Generation Science Standards to enhance classroom learning and provide teachers and students with needed educational content. A large amount of students were greatly impacted by learning about KY native wildlife while viewing the animals alive and up close. 

Environmental Camp addressed more than environmental issues.  Incorporated into the curriculum is team building exercises that created unity among the students that last throughout the school year. Many students claimed their favorite portion of camp is working together at the challenge course and "would recommend that all schools go on this field trip". Environmental Camp also teaches basic life skills, such as how to be responsible for their own belongings, clean up after themselves and classmates, communicating with others, and just experiencing how to be away from home for the first time.   

Students receive an experience they will never forget in addition to the retention of environmental topics needed to state testing and life.  Many students were able to explore their natural environment in ways they have never had the opportunity to do before.  Some students got to experience hiking or canoeing for the first time and others experience their first night away from their parents and home. Students often share experiences they had with younger siblings and they those students come excited and ready to learn based on what their brothers and sisters have shared.

Overall the program helps battle "Nature-Deficit Disorder" for our youth by allowing them to engage in nature and learn from it.