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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 storm water 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.
Beginning spring 2018, the ELC will be offering K-12 class field trips and day-camps designed to enrich the learning of students in the area of 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 will be provided 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 will also learn about water quality and stormwater management.
We look forward to your visiting soon!
For more information about opportunities to visit, please contact Alena Schnarr at alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu.
ELC programs for kids
Registration has begun for Nature’s Engineers Camp. Sign your child up today!
To reserve a space for your child:
- You can now register and pay online.
- If you would like to pay by check, please fill out and return this registration form.
- Scholarships are available for our camps. if you are interested in applying, please fill out our scholarship application.
Nature's Engineers Camp
Nature is full of plants and animals that build amazing things—from beaver dams to finely woven nests, to seeds with "parachutes." In this spring break camp, nature's engineers will inspire us to build our own nests, lodges, spider webs and flying objects. Come build with us!
Level 1
Grades: 1-2
Dates: March 26, 27 and 28. Take one or all three!
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $60/day
Level 2
Grades: 3-5
Dates: March 27. One day only.
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $65
Before/After Care
We also offer before and after care separate from educational programming, as an added convenience for parents and families.
Before Care: 7:15-9 a.m.
After Care: 4-6 p.m.
Rates:
- Before Care or After Care: $10 per child/per day
- Both Before Care and After Care: $20 per child/per day
- Please note: $1 per minute late fee after 6 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Alena Schnarr at alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu or 503-594-1656.
The Summer Camp schedule for 2019 is not yet available. Please check back in late winter. Thank you!
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.
Ecosystem Health: Monitoring a wetland restoration
Grades: 6-8
3 hours
Cost: $10/student (minimum $200/group)
Wetlands function as highly efficient water filtration plants, help to control flood waters, and provide vital habitat for many plant and animal species. In this class, your students will see first-hand the results of our recent restoration project. They will learn sampling techniques, and gain hands-on experience collecting data that will be used to evaluate the real-world impacts of this wetland on biodiversity and water quality.
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: $15.00/session. Your first session is free!
Registration required, limited spaces. Cash or check only.
Please email or call Renee Harber at rharber@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3015.
Nature Striders Upcoming Dates and Themes
| Theme | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Saturdays |
| Wetland Wonders Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell to explore the variety of aquatic creatures that swim, float and grow in our wetlands |
Feb. 26 | Feb. 27 | |
| TBD | March 20 |
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| TBD | April 17 |
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| TBD | May 22 |
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| TBD | June 12 |
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| TBD | July 24 |