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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.
Select an educational ELC program
The Summer Camp schedule for 2019 is not yet available. Please check back in late winter. Thank you!
Winter Camp registration has begun! Reserve a space for your child today by:
- Filling out and returning the registration form
- Pay online or mail payment by check
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.
Daily Rates
- For either before or after care: $10 per child, per day
- For both before and after care: $20 per child, per day
$1 per minute late fee after 6 p.m.
Questions? Contact Alena Schnarr at alena.schnarr@clackamas.edu or 503-594-1656
Nature Mysteries
Grades: 1-2 and 3-5
Dates: Jan. 2, 2019
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $60 per day (grades 1-2) and $65 per day (grades 3-5)
Kids will use their creative, analytical and problem solving skills to explore the patterns and puzzles that surround us in the natural world. We will enjoy a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities: exploring our winter forest/wetland habitat, making crafts and playing games. Come prowl with us!
Tracking and Survival Skills
Grades: 1-2 and 3-5
Dates: Jan. 3, 2019 (Session A) and Jan. 4, 2019 (Session B)
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $60 per day (grades 1-2) and $65 per day (grades 3-5)
Animal tracks are a window into an otherwise hidden world of wild animals. In these camps, we'll spend time learning to see and identify signs of animals in the outdoors and explore how animals (including ourselves) can survive in our cold, wet winters. Sessions A and B cover different activities, but build upon the same theme. Join us for one or both!
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: $9/student (minimum $180/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: Tuesdays, Wednesdays (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 |
| Winter’s Welcome Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in the welcoming of winter with stories, games and hands-on activities exploring how plants and animals prepare for winter. |
Dec. 4 | Dec. 5 | |
| Dec. 18 | Dec. 19 | ||
| Animal Tracks Clues that tell a story. Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell in learning to "read" the tracks left behind by our wildlife neighbors. |
Jan. 8 | Jan. 9 | |
| Jan. 22 | Jan. 23 | ||
| Wetland Wonders Join naturalist and educator Sarah Bidwell to explore the variety of aquatic creatures that swim, float and grow in our wetlands. |
Feb. 12 | ||
| Feb. 26 | Feb. 27 |