ABOUT US
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE OUTDOOR SCHOOL IN HORSHAM
During each experience at The Outdoor School in Horsham, we strive to compliment the school science curriculum, offering experiential-based lessons that enhance students' ability to understand the topics being presented. We understand the pressures put upon schools to cover curriculum materials, and work with school staff to assure that goals are met and that students value the information they receive. Also, an attempt is made to reflect our feelings about people's relationship to, and their effect on the environment. Our ultimate goal is for students to develop and awareness of the environment that will lead to an understanding of natural balances thereby shaping a positive environmental ethic to guide their future behaviors.
We believe a student should leave the Outdoor School a more versatile, knowledgeable child than when he or she arrived and should acquire an intensified appreciation of the environment during his or her stay.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/ TEACHERS and COORDINATORS
Location
The property owned by The College Settlement was farmland before it began offering summer programs in 1922. Since then, the suburbs have grown up around it. College Settlement is an island within suburbia, representing the rural area that once surrounded it. In the fall of 1973, an Outdoor School was started to provide facilities, leadership and program direction for residential environmental education experience for schools and groups.
With over 235 acres, there is plenty of area to explore. Use of the more distant parts of the property for programming is encouraged! Of the 235 acres, approximately 100 are mowed and provide adequate open space. Over 90 acres are wooded and about 40 acres are farmed. 20 acres of this farmland is leased by CSC to Pennypack Farm(an organic Community Sponsored Agriculture farming facility that we coordinate programs with), a three-acre lake, wetlands and a variety of small streams provide opportunity for aquatic study.
Living Quarters
Lodges with two open rooms, each sleeping eight to twelve students, a bathroom and shower area shared by all members of that lodge, and a combination kitchen/staff sleeping area. All lodges are winterized and have hot and cold running water, heating systems, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms and locking doors.
Dining
Davies Hall is a modern winterized dining area and kitchen that can accommodate up to 179 people. Meals are served family style. This building is a multipurpose facility and is often used for evening programs or in the event of difficult weather conditions.
Other Buildings
The Environmental Center (EC)
The E.C , a one-room building used as a resource center and a group meeting place. It houses equipment necessary for lesson activities and has a weather station, beehive, bird observation area, live animals and a library. Schools may also use this building for their evening programs. The EC can accommodate 57 students.
Pavilions
We have several covered structures that can be used for lessons and activities. Many of our pavilions can hold over 150 students.
STAFF
There are several full time and several seasonal employees that will come into contact with students and school personnel during the Outdoor School Experience. School staff will be dealing with the following camp personnel on a more frequent basis.
Executive Director: Frank Gerome
Mr. Gerome lives on site and is responsible for the entire camp operation. Mr. Gerome will check in with the schools during most meals.
Program Directors: Karyn McGee and Penny Mimmo
Karyn and Penny also live on site. The Program Directors coordinate every programming aspect of the school trip and are responsible for the scheduling of all activities plus the use of the Teacher Naturalist staff. Either Penny or Karyn will meet, orientate and organize each school group upon arrival. A post-trip meeting will also be conducted with a Program Director on the last day of the experience. Any programming questions or concerns prior to or during the trip should be directed towards Karyn or Penny. Constant communication between school personnel and Program Directors ensures a fluid, productive trip. One Program Director is on active duty each evening.
Food Services Manager: Larry McGeehan
Larry is present at all meals and welcomes suggestions regarding the food services program. He will coordinate all special dietary restrictions with teachers and parents before each trip.
Teacher Naturalists/Instructors
Each season The Outdoor School in Horsham (OS) hires 5 residential teaching staff to lead small instructional groups through environmental activities and group challenges. These staff members are chosen for their ability to instruct students in an outdoor setting, combining a sense of learning and fun. These staff members are not "counselors" but fully functioning outdoor school instructors. The teacher naturalists will lead most of the program activities with students. We ask that students refer to these staff members as "instructors".
SECURITY
Security ID tags
Outdoor School program staff are required to wear ID tags at all times. Any outside contractor is also required to either wear identification or be escorted by a OS staff member. During the first teacher/parent orientation at camp, school personnel and supervisors will be requested to sign in and will be offered temporary ID tags. Any unidentified adult should be reported to the nearest OS staff member. Participating schools are asked to coordinate all arrivals and departures of adults while students are on site.
Two-way Radios
Two radios are available for school use, if requested. All camp program staff carry these radios, which are monitored by the main office and the Executive Director. Radios are monitored 24 hours a day.
Health Provider
We strongly advise all schools to bring a school nurse with them for the entire duration of the experience. OS will provide secure, lockable storage for medications. We also recommend that ALL participants under the age of 18 have a parent/legal guardian consent form plus an accurate medical history sheet at OS during their stay.
Evening Security
Cabins can be locked to prevent access from the outside. All cabin doors have panic bars ensuring that the building can always be exited through that door. The cabins are located in the heart of the facility, past several staff residences. Suspicious activity/unrecognized vehicles will be investigated by OS staff. The Horsham Police Department makes regular inspections of the facility and assists in monitoring any suspicious activity.
LESSONS
State Standards/District Curriculum
The Outdoor School Experience can encompass almost all ecology/environmental science topics required by school districts for grade school students.
In order to assist schools in meeting state/district requirements for science and ecology standards, we can match our learning outcomes with those of the school's curriculum. A large number of school districts participate in our program, each with its own, unique curriculum requirements. If schools wish, our program can cover specific vocabulary or objectives not listed under the lesson descriptions such as vocabulary lists and probable assessment topics.
LESSONS AND DAYTIME ACTIVITIES
Choosing Lessons
School personnel may choose to lead an activity from our Activities Manual or bring one from school or other resources. The camp staff can either lead an activity from the list, or will design an activity to suit the school curriculum needs.
ROPES/CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES
OS has two low ropes courses and a large Group Challenge Course. These activities are designed to encourage leadership, communication skills and social development within a student group. Although many of the challenges are physical by nature, differently-abled students can actively participate in almost all activities. The use of the course can be geared towards addressing themes pertinent to the school, such as cooperation, bullying, inclusion, etc.
Group Challenge Course:
Most schools choose to have all students participate in the group challenge course during the first afternoon of the experience. School personnel are required to assist with leading some of the activities. An orientation to these activities will be given to school staff once they arrive at camp.
Low Ropes Course:
The Low Ropes Course is an excellent follow-up to the Group Challenge Course. This facility requires more careful supervision and more concentration on behalf of the students. The camp offers use of this facility to all schools. Should school personnel be required to assist with supervision on the course, a training session will be provided by the camp staff.
WHAT TO PACK
Activities, if possible, will take place rain or shine; therefore comfortable, practical clothes are recommended. More clothing will be required during cold and wet trips. Shoes must be sturdy and well broken in. Please encourage name tags or other indication of ownership on personal property. OS cannot deliver lost property to schools or student homes.
The following is a suggested packing list:
STUDENT PACKING LIST:
___Washcloth
___Comb or Brush
___Soap in a container
___Sweater/Sweatshirt
___Poncho or Raincoat
___Sleeping bag or bed linen
___Changes of underwear
___2 Pairs of long pants
___1 Pair sneakers
___Towel
___Toothbrush/Toothpaste
___Pajamas
___Warm jacket and hat
___Boots
___Bag for dirty clothes
___Long sleeved shirt
___2 Pairs of shorts(optional)
___6 pairs of socks
Cell phones, radios, other electronic devices, personal sports equipment, jewelry and expensive belongings should be kept at home. Also note that a flashlight has been left off the list. Flashlights are frequently lost or misused. If students are going to bring them, please be sure that proper use and "flashlight" manners are reviewed.