Summit Notes: Educating Educators in the Value of Outdoor Learning…
October 25, 2007 – 3:34 pm…And Creating “Connect-with-nature” gardens at schools and child care centers.
Participants: Amy Dutt, Noreen Warnock, Irene Lindelow, Brian Rutti, Lori Totman, Vicki Kohli, Colleen Sharkey, Matthew Minter, Manon Von Schoyck, Christa Hein, Sharon Tinianow, Sue Smith, Betsy Loeb.
SUMMARY:
1) There are school gardens in existence that allow kids unstructured play in nature:
- MRDD Marburn on Rudy Rd
- MRDD Johnstown
- Briar Rose Waldorf of Indianola
2) Teachers were involved in MRDD school ground creation through “dreamstorming” so there is buy-in. (Best to involve community, custodians, nutrition, etc.)
3) How to market what is possible and why it’s valuable. “TREE”
- garden tours
- DVD
- ACCGA Training (American Community Gardening Association)
- Teacher professional development
- EECO
4) Sources for Volunteer Labor:
- Master Gardeners
- Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program
- University Students
- Americorps
- High School
- Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Silver & Gold
- internships
- United Way Community Cares Day
5) Resources:
ODNR
SWCDs
Urban Wild Ltd.
