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Thank you for filling out our contact form! A member of our Environmental Learning Center team will be in touch shortly.
K-12 Education at the Environmental Learning Center
The John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is a place where all ages can learn about the environment through hands-on, interactive activities that are both educational and fun!
Our recently restored wetland, fed by underground springs and stormwater runoff from the Oregon City campus, provides critical habitat for wildlife and water quality improvement, making it the ideal location to study wetland habitat. And, as the headwaters to Newell Creek, it's also the perfect venue for watershed discussions.
The ELC now offers K-12 class field trips and day camps that enrich student learning through outdoor education.
Field trips are structured to meet specific Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that cover Ecosystems, Adaptation, Biodiversity and the Impact of Human Activity. Students have opportunities to explore, interact with, measure and create within the lush outdoor surroundings of the ELC, which contains both forest and wetland habitat. The variety of habitat present allows us to teach about interdependent relationships in ecosystems. Some age groups also learn about water quality and stormwater management.
For more information about opportunities to visit, please contact Alena Schnarr at alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu.
Children attending ELC programs are expected to follow Oregon’s immunization policy. Please visit the Oregon Health Authority for more information.
ELC programs for kids
Registration for Nature Spy Summer Camps is live!
- You can now register and pay online!
- To register and pay on-line, click link next to the week of camp you are interested in.
- If you would like to pay by check, please fill out and return this registration form.
- Our 2019 camp scholarship funding has been used up, so we are not able to offer additional scholarships at this time.
Camp dates and Eventbrite links:
July 8-11
Nature Spy Water Camp, Grades 1-2 ($230/week)
Nature Spy Astronomy Camp, Grades 3-5 ($250/week)
July 8-11 Camp Registration
July 15-18
Nature Spy Water Camp, Grades 1-2 ($230/week)
Nature Spy Astronomy Camp, Grades 3-5 ($250/week)
July 15-18 Camp Registration
July 29-Aug 1
Nature Spy Water Camp, Grades 1-2 only ($230/week)
July 29 - Aug 1 Camp Registration
Nature Spy Water Camp
Grades 1-2
Campers will enjoy a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities related to water in nature: exploring the wetland, discovering the creatures that swim, hop, and float on the water, learning to be a good steward of the environment, making crafts and playing games.
This camp is being offered 3 different weeks: July 8-11, July 15-18, July 29-Aug 1 from 9:00-4:00 each day. To register, see links above.
Nature Spy Astronomy Camp
Grades 3-5
Campers will stretch their understanding of nature beyond the confines of Planet Earth through activities like hunting for micrometeorites, experiencing the power of the sun through solar oven baked s'mores, using telescopes, solving mysteries and more. May the force be with you!
This camp is being offered two different weeks: July 8-11 and July 15-18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. To register, see links above.
Before and After Care Available
You can purchase Before/After Care through above EventBrite links or by mailing in check.
- Before Care: 7:15-9 a.m.
- After Care: 4-6 p.m.
Cost: $10/morning or after session or $20/day or $80/full week of camp
Questions? Please email Alena Schnarr, alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu
Camp Scholarships Available
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please fill out this application form and the camp registration form and send it to Alena Schnarr via email or snail mail.
Email: alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu
Mail:
Environmental Learning Center at CCC
attn: Alena Schnarr
19600 Molalla Ave.
Oregon City, OR 97045
The Environmental Learning Center offers the following programs for school field trips. Scholarships are available for our camps and field trips! Please fill out the form below for more information.
Do coyotes eat salad? A journey into the forest ecosystem
Grades: K-3
2.5 hours
Cost: $8/student (minimum $160/group)
The forest ecosystem is a complex web of plants and animals interacting with each other every day to find food, shelter and mates. This field excursion will give your students a better understanding of forest ecology through hands on learning, interactive role playing and participation in fun education based games!
Prepare to get ducky! Exploring wetland habitats
Grades: K-3
2.5 hours
Cost: $8/student (minimum $160/group)
Wetlands make up only about 5% of the earth’s surface, yet they are crucial habitat for a wide array of plants and animals. During their visit, students will learn about wetland plant and animal identification, animal migration and the important role wetlands play in water quality.
Why is My Skin Green? Adaptations for survival
Grades: 4
2.5 hours
Cost: $8/student (minimum $160/group)
Frogs, birds, bears and even plants have adapted to improve their chances of survival in nature. Students will explore several types of adaptation in the forest/wetland ecosystem, and determine the purpose for each adaptation (growth, survival, behavior or reproduction), then join in a variety of fun, interactive games to reinforce their discoveries.
Web of Life: Food chains in the ecosystem
Grades: 5
2.5 hours
Cost: $8/student (minimum $140/group)
It may not be obvious, but all food ultimately comes from the sun. This engaging program will help your students to develop an understanding for the complex, interdependent relationships within an ecosystem. By exploring different components of the food chain, students will recognize the role of abiotic factors as well.
We are excited to bring you this new program at the Environmental Learning Center!
Nature Striders programs will give you and your little one a chance to explore nature together through activities like story time, crafts, and walks in the forest/wetland habitat. Each session includes both indoor and outdoor activities so be sure to dress for the weather! Snacks are provided but please bring your own drinks.
Who: Ages 2-5 and their caregiversWhen: See dates below
Where: Environmental Learning Center at the Oregon City campus
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Cost: Sliding scale $15-25/session (additional child is $5). Your first session is free!
Registration is required and space is limited. Cash or check only.
To register, please email or call Renee Harber at rharber@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3015.
Nature Striders Upcoming Dates and Themes
- Salamanders, June 12, 2019
Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in learning about our amphibian friends, the salamanders. After exploring our wetland area for salamanders, we'll create our own salamander "room." - Dragonflies, July 24, 2019
Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in discovering these amazing insects who zoom over our wetlands and fields. We'll explore the wetland for dragonfly nymphs in the water and observe adults hunting insects out of the air. - Butterflies, Aug. 14, 2019
Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in learning about the diversity of butterflies in our area and how we can help them in our gardens.