Outdoor and Environmental Education Celebrates Fifty Years

Article Source: David Nigel

Outdoor and Environmental Education Celebrates Fifty Years

Saturday afternoon, March 9th, a large celebration marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of Outdoor Education in San Mateo County saw three hundred people gathered at the school campsite of the San Mateo County Schools Outdoor and Environmental Education site located at Camp Jones Gulch. The campsite which has been the home of the San Mateo County Office of Education Outdoor Education is owned and operated by the San Francisco YMCA, situated in the Coastal Mountains between La Honda and Pescadero.

This photo features San Bruno Park School District Educators present at the celebration who attended the Outdoor School with their 5th grade students over these many years.

Dave Nigel, Fran Dunleavy, Gus Xerogeanes, Amy Stachnick, Cindy Marconi, Phylis Takahashi

Cindy and Phylis are retired from John Muir. Amy is a teacher at Rollingwood. She was there Saturday. She was the one person who went to Outdoor Ed as a camper, cabin leader, naturalist, and teacher!

In addition to marking this landmark date, the main purpose was to honor and recognize Educator Gus Xerogeanes, retired Administrator and Teacher of the San Bruno Park School District who was the originator and coordinator of this extraordinary, successful educational program.

Director Mark Nolan, Program Director for more than twenty years, greeted everyone and introduced San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, Nancy Magee who addressed the audience and praised this award-winning educational program and the exceptional staff. The next speaker was Hector Camacho, Jr., President of the Board of Trustees who talked about his own experiences at Outdoor Ed as a student camper and counselor describing many special wonderful life-long memories from his time at Outdoor School.

YMCA Executive Director Carrie Herrera addressed the crowd describing the unique and special relationship between the “Y” and the County Office; a relationship that has flourished for more than half a century.

Honoree, Gus Xerogeanes was the next speaker describing how the program was initiated by the San Bruno Park School District that held ten weekly sessions for three years beginning in 1965 when the San Mateo County Office of Education took over the program and appointed Glen McPhate as Program Director.

David M. Nigel, retired educator of the San Bruno Park School District and the Burlingame School District, gave a history of the program and told a few stories reminiscing about his many years at the Outdoor School.

The original Naturalists, Bill and Mavis Clark spoke about the initial curriculum and science teaching that occurred.

Outdoor Education Principal Steve Van Zandt, “Solar Steve” gave a lengthy presentation and recognize all the current camp staff, teachers, naturalists, cabin counselors, and student campers. Steve, Mark Nolan, and the current staff led traditional camp songs, then Steve ended the program reading an inspirational poem.

John Muir School Principal, Dr. Frances Dunleavy, a strong supporter of the Outdoor Ed program was also in attendance, as was San Brunan David Wedeking who taught and brought countless students from Lincoln School to Jones Gulch.

Next came a magnificent reception in the historic dining hall with many activities and opportunities for renewing old friendships and reliving great memories.

We are proud that Gus Xerogeanes is a special and accomplished San Brunan. Gus will also be honored by the San Mateo County Board of Education at their March 20th meeting at 7:00 p.m.in the California Suite at SMCOE, 101 Twin Dolphin Dr.,Redwood City.

=

Robert Riechel

Send your articles and photos to:

E=Mail: SanBrunoPatch.Robert@Yahoo.com

WEB: https://patch.com/california/s...

Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives

Source Credit: David Nigel

CLICK on link below to Subscribe to News Alerts and a Daily Email Newsletter for San Bruno Patch

http://link.patch.com/join/3-0-subscribe?list=US_CA_SANBRUNO_282

#SanBrunoPatch