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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
Nature Spy Winter Camp registration is now live!
You can register here.
Nature Spy Winter Camp Theme: Winter Survival Games
It may be cold and wet outside, but nature is full of activity and wonder. Hands-on activities, crafts, and active games will engage campers in exploring how plants, animals, and people get through winter. Each day of the camp will focus on a different aspect of winter survival.
Join us for one day, or all three!
Monday, Dec. 30: Winter Food
After investigating what our wildlife neighbors are eating, we'll enjoy a campfire treat.
Thursday, Jan. 2: Winter Shelters
We'll explore the wetland and forest for animal homes and make our own shelters.
Friday, Jan. 3: Winter Fun
Winter is a wonderful time for storytelling, crafts and games.
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost:
- Level One (Grades 1-2): $64/day
- Level Two (Grades 3-5): $69/day
Before/after care is available for each camp. Please purchase separately; not included in this price.
Limited scholarships are available. Please request by selecting "interested in scholarship" during registration.
For more information, contact Alena Schnarr at alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu.
The Environmental Learning Center offers the following programs for school field trips. Our field trips meet specific Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) on ecosystems, adaptation, biodiversity, watershed health and the impact of human activity.
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. As the headwaters to Newell Creek, it's also the perfect venue for watershed discussions.
If you are interested in scheduling a field trip, view our Eventbrite calendar for available fall/winter 2019 dates. You will be asked to pick a date, select your number of groups and then register and pick the program you are interested in.
If you are looking to schedule something for spring, please fill out the form below.
We have limited scholarship dollars available. If you are interested in filling out a request for some assistance, or have questions about our field trips, please e-mail Alena at alena.schnarr@clackmas.edu.
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
- Spiders, Sept. 25, 2019
- Trees are Terrific, Oct. 23, 2019
- Fungus Among Us, Nov. 20, 2019
- Winter's Slumber, Dec. 18, 2019