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Outdoor Education |
Current OE Program Offerings
Come join us for our own unique version of a Mom’s Morning Out …outside that is (Dads/Grandparents welcome, too!) This special class is offered for toddlers through kindergarten. Each week will bring a different theme as children, along with their…
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Scientists place animals in groups according to common characteristics. Discover the similiarites and differences between amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals as we look at some of these creatures up close. amazing animals with which we share our planet.Learn about (and…
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Adaptations are physical features that improve an animal’s (or a plant’s) chances for survival. Students will be introduced to reptiles, mammals, and amphibians to observe and discover each animal’s adaptations. Students will be encouraged to observe and will have the…
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Ever notice the expression on a student’s face when an animal’s footprint is pointed out in the dirt? We do! That look of wonderment inspired our Animal Tracks program where we teach students how to identify various animal visitors. After…
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Take an upclose, scientific look at pond life as we explore the importance of macro-invertebrates as part of the aquatic ecosysem. We will use nets and buckets to collect, and charts to identify, the various insect larvae, crustaceans and other…
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Look out, Robin Hood! Come test your shooting skills at our archery range situated beside beautiful Lake Fellowship!
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Who doesn’t love to sink their toes into soft white sand? Come and have fun playing a little beach volleyball, Chestnut Ridge style!
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"Variety is the spice of life" - that old saying is a good way to describe biodiversity. In our gardens at Chestnut Ridge, we encourage biodiversity of plant life as part of our practice of sustainable agriculture. Through engaging activities…
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Gather ‘round our extra large fire pit to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures…soon you’ll be hearing, “S’more, please!”
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We have a variety of canoes and kayaks for the beginner, expert, and everything in between! Life jackets and paddles provided.
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What is matter? How can it change? These questions & more will be answered as we investigate the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. We'll figure out what Gak really is and experience liquids turning into solids by either making…
At Chestnut Ridge we try to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and one way we do this is by composting our food waste. Students will visit our compost bins, get an up-close look at who’s at work in there, and build…
While are sleeping in our beds at night, there's another world that is waking up. Learn about nocturnal animals and discover how their senses enable them to successfully find food and communicate with little or no light. Discover the importance…
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Did you know that flowers are not only pretty but they often hold the seeds of a plant! Seeds are amazing! A 100 foot tall tree grows from a tiny seed! Take a walk through the woods to find seeds…
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Inertia, Acceleration Action/reaction...On my! Explore Newton’s Laws of Motion and discover the power of gravity, friction & air resistance. Notice the transfer of energy as you propel marshmallows with a catapult you've created. Then head to the lake to see…
Our earth’s forests are being depleted faster than they are being replenished. Deforestation is a major environmental issue as cities and roads have been built in areas that were once home to thriving forest ecosystems. This impacts not only the…
In this program, students will study the food chain from garden to plate. They will have the opportunity to make and eat some of their very own food creations. Students will learn that our food comes from plants and about…
Ride through forests and fields on our tractor pulled hay wagon! At Chestnut Ridge we have over 362 acres to explore! The scenery is beautiful no matter the season.
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Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians such as frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles (terrestrial and aquatic) snakes and so on. Have fun while working out “in the field” learning collection techniques and how to record data on common herps…
Challenge yourself and test your limits on our high ropes course. Let one of our certified and experienced facilitators tailor your high challenge course experience to meet the needs of your group. We offer both static and dynamic courses, 45’…
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Chestnut Ridge is home to several colonies of honey bees, one of which lives in an observation hive (late April-early October). Come out to see the bees at their work. Can you find the queen bee? Learn about the different…
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Come visit our garden and go on a bug hunt as we observe insects in various life stages. We’ll use natural materials to create a bug and its life stages to take home. (NCSCOS Science Standards: K-Goals 1; 1st-Goal 1;…
Come outside and play, away from electronics and video games. We will teach your students (and you) how to have fun with few props, in the great outdoors!
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Many fascinating geologic features await you in this study of landforms. In this program students will learn specifically about local landforms. They will also investigate and explore our 362 acres as they discover the role water, wind, and time play…
Chestnut Ridge is home to chickens, goats, cows, pigs, and horses! It’s the perfect place to learn about animal life cycles. Students will get hands-on experience with our farm animals and play games to learn about how animals grow and…
Our Low Challenge Course is the perfect place for team building activities that help increase self-awareness, confidence, and communication skills. You must work together to solve each element on our course…we have 17 to choose from! Our expert facilitator will…
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Find out how North Carolinians used to live on the farm. Meet our heritage breed animals, see sustainable agriculture in action in our garden and farm (no modern chemicals here!) and learn about early farm life through storytelling. Participate in…
In case you are wondering what an owl pellet is, it is the non-digestible part of the prey that the owl must regurgitate! Learn about the role and interdependence of predator and prey animals in our forest ecosystem. Students will…
The predator and prey relationship encompasses concepts such as survival of the fittest, adaptations, and the fundamental differences between animals. Through discussion and games, we’ll learn firsthand about the different reactions of prey as they are being hunted, the variables…
An introduction to the difference between "decomposition" and "biodegradable" using everyday household trash items, this hands-on activity provides a tactile approach to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle". Through teamwork and discussion students will create a timeline of how long everyday household…
Students will become geologists and investigate, identify, and classify several different types of rocks including some found in North Carolina. Each student will begin their own rock collection and take home a sample of four different kinds of rocks. (NCSCOS…
Most people call it dirt, but soil is crucial for our survival! Come visit the forest, lake, and farm of Chestnut Ridge to discover the main types of soil (loam, clay, sandy, humus, etc) and find out how soil is…
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Twinkle Twinkle little star...or is it? Check out our little corner of the universe using a 6” Dobsonian telescope. Depending on the time of year, you may observe Jupiter and the four Galilean moons, Mars, Saturn and her rings, or…
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Come cool off in our swimming pool or play on the Lake Toys in beautiful Lake Fellowship. These aquatic activities are seasonal and open May through September.
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Students play a game to simulate changes in land use. They discover the effects of change on the carrying capacity of the land and the importance of preserving farm land.
Yes, they are wiggly and squirmy, but do you know how important worms are? Learn about worm anatomy, life cycle, and just what makes worms so wonderful. Make a vermi- (worm) compost bin to take back to your classroom.…
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Hiking is fun and safe as long as you remain “found.” Our Trailblazers program teaches students how to follow a trail, use a compass, read a map and learn skills shared by all well-trained wilderness lovers.
At Chestnut Ridge we are open all four seasons and experience a variety of weather phenomena. Come visit us in any season and become Jr. Meteorologists as we investigate the components of weather, discover the importance of the water cycle,…
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919.338.2820 office 866.372.5801 fax. Contact us or sign-up for our eNewsletters.Our parent organization, NC United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc. Our sister camps, Don Lee Center and Rockfish Outdoor Center.
© 2010 Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Road, Efland, NC 27243