One of our newest programs here at the Mountain Park Environmental Center is Home School in the Park. Home School in the Park is an experiential science program, based on our Earth Studies program and tailored for home school students, grades 3rd through 6th. When I first began working here at MPEC, I was a Ranger teaching in our Earth Studies Program. Immediately I loved the program and was able to witness the benefits of bringing children into nature to teach them about their planet. Since I was raised in a family that home schooled, I began to think about how home school children would enjoy and greatly profit from a program such as this. I began to envision setting up a program for home school families where MPEC could use its resources and knowledgeable staff to form Earth Studies day sessions specifically for home schooled children.
Although it can be challenging to start a new program, our first session of Home School in the Park successfully took place this past February with 12 children in attendance. The focus of the session was mammals and tracking. Our second session was just as successful, with 14 home schooled children of all ages coming to MPEC to learn about birds and orienteering. The kids, as well as parents, have learned so much and enjoyed the experience tremendously, continuing to help spread the word about this new program. As our third home school day session approaches, I am excited to see our program grow, as currently there are 17 children signed up to attend. These children are growing and flourishing from these learning experiences that take place in Pueblo Mountain Park, the ideal outdoor classroom.