Rain on my Parade

Last month I set out to see for myself what the SAF’s funds for environmental education look like—in action!  The talented staff at Blandford Nature Center allowed me to tag along with a ninth-grade biology class from Creston as they explored the woods on a cold, wet November morning.  It softened my own bad mood over the dreary weather to see the kids so engrossed in the lessons about water, energy consumption, the bobcat’s natural habitat and much more.  Blandford’s outdoor educators were masterful at engaging the students and keeping their interest piqued throughout the trip (though it started raining harder!) 

I was struck by how many of them remarked they’d never before seen a deer in the wild.  Biology teacher, Ray Petersen, commented that the students leave their personas back at school when they come out to Blandford and just allow total immersion in the experience.  I saw this first-hand and felt a tremendous sense of gratitude that the SAF is helping GRPS kids have the opportunity for this quality science instruction in the natural environment.  And to be supporting a local organization like Blandford at the same time enriches the program even more.  So maybe my boots got a little muddy—but I followed our kids’ example and focused on what I could learn from the world around me.

-Alyssa Morillo Scheidt, December 2011