Libertyville Students to Learn 'Lessons From Nature'

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — About 260 sixth-graders from Highland Middle School in Libertyville will take their lessons from nature during a special three-day environmental program for Outdoor Education Week, according to a news release from District 70. For the school's Outdoor Education Program, students will attend Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon, IL, in two separate sessions.

About 130 students on the Maroon team are going from Nov. 2 to 4 and another 130 students on the Gold team will attend from Nov. 6 to 8. A total of 20 teachers and 20 parents also will join the students on their adventures, according to the news release.

"This is the students' chance to get outside and experience situations and activities that enhance what they are learning at school," said Angie McCarthy, a science teacher who is leading the outdoor program this year.

For example, students will study and learn about geology and fossils, survival, early pioneering, birds, team building, the animal food chain, and orienteering where they learn how to use a compass and a handheld GPS, according to the news release.

"The purpose of this trip is to instill in the children an appreciation for the environment, skills for working together as a team and for them to make connections between the classroom and the world around them," McCarthy said. "We hope to do this by providing a rich educational experience in a totally different learning environment.

"It is great to watch new friendships develop among the students during their time at Taft."

The purpose of Outdoor Education is to instill an appreciation, understanding, and awareness of nature. The physical and mental challenges presented during this trip are designed to help students learn about themselves as individuals and as members of a group, according to the news release.

Families of the students pay for the program, and costs cover food, transportation, and lodging.