Bath Elementary fifth-graders enjoy outdoor adventure
by Wendy Turrell
Bath Elementary fifth-graders experienced the great outdoors at the school’s annual “Nature Exploration” program with the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. The education center is part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, according to CVEEC Director Amanda Schuster, and is a cooperative effort between the National Park Service and the Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that supports the CVNP.
The CVEEC curriculum guide describes the object of the overnight nature experience: “Students explore different ecosystems, … studying the diversity of species and how they are connected through flow of energy. They actively engage with the skills of a scientist by observing organisms, recording observations and sharing what they’ve discovered while also making personal connections to the natural world.”
Schuster explained, “Our programs are open to any school group. There is a cost to the program, but schools that have financial barriers are able to apply for and receive scholarships.”
Fifth-grade teacher John Faust has led the Bath program since its inception in 2002. He was introduced to the CVEEC as a student teacher at Portage Path School and immediately saw its value. When he was hired at Bath in 1998, he approached then principal Fred Tomei about bringing the program to the school.
Faust said Tomei was not enthused at first. “But I told Mr. Tomei if he agreed to attend the CVEEC open house later in the week, I would treat him to dinner beforehand,” he recalled. Tomei attended with Faust, was quickly convinced of the program’s merit, and, as Faust recounted with humor, the principal told him, “We’re in, but you’re in charge of organizing the thing.”
Faust eagerly took on the assignment, and Bath fifth-graders took their first winter trip in 2002-03. The experience was initially for four days and three nights. It was later cut back to three days and two nights, largely due to difficulties in finding enough volunteers. Following the pandemic, the Nature Exploration program became a two-day, one night event.
Faust said the days are filled with hikes in the national park, while studying the flora and fauna of various ecosystems. Ideally, he would like all fifth-graders to have the complete immersive experience, but some students opt not to go, and some attend only during the days.
Teacher and parent chaperones facilitate activities and stay overnight with students in the dormitories, which each hold about 60 kids, one for boys and one for girls. Faust said this is often the first time that students have been away from their families.
As part of planning the trip, Faust explains the program to students’ parents beforehand. He joked, “It isn’t the students who are nervous about staying, it’s the parents who are nervous about their child being away from home.”
He continued, “Most of the feedback we receive from parents is about how their child has become more independent and has increased confidence.”
Bath Elementary Principal Dan Fry called the Nature Exploration trip “a rite of passage” for fifth-graders. There were 225 students who participated this year, which required the school to divide the trip into three different excursions. Three classrooms attended Oct. 21-22; three more attended Nov. 4-5; and the final three classes attended Nov. 6-7.
The students were featured in the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park E-newsletter, which stated that students “participated in an ecosystem exploration class with Ranger Kerry [Muhl]. They observed and investigated different ecosystems, crafted nature journals and learned about the unique adaptations of creatures that live within the park.”
Fry said the school’s fifth-grade teachers, intervention specialists, and administrators participate. “Some spend the night with the kids, and others are there for the daytime activities. We also had 75 parent volunteers helping chaperone trail groups and assist with the overnight stay.”
Fry said the trip is beneficial for students. “This is an experiential learning opportunity for the kids to actively participate in a study of our ecosystems, watershed and animal habitats,” he said. “It also exposes them to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is a hidden treasure right here in our community. This is always a highlight for our Bath students and an experience that they will always remember of their time at Bath School.”Faust said his longtime leadership of the program has been a rewarding experience. However, “I have decided this is my final year in the role of coordinator,” he said. “It was a tough decision. But I think it is time to have fresh eyes take a look to see if the experience can be made even better for our students.”
photo caption: Students crafted nature journals as they experienced the parks. Photo courtesy of Dan Fry