Adventure Camp :: Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

Philosophy/Mission: The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The curriculum is driven by the following principles:

1. We believe the program is a vehicle to help people love the natural world and each other better.

2. The Camp and its user groups will form cooperative partnerships to reach our mutual goals.

3. We will meet the formal and non-formal educational needs of students, TEKs, and exceed expectations of the state, school, teachers, parents and students.

4. We will maximize the resources of the natural world and extend the classroom experience outdoors.

Lessons: Complete lesson plans are written for most lessons at CCAC. Lessons are written to include and delineate state educational standards. The camp program includes use of a Student Journal. Pre- and/or post- program activities are available.

Teaching:
The camp staff members can to teach all activities. Some activities require camp staff, for risk management. We believe teachers may teach some of the classes if they choose, and this draws a link between the indoor and outdoor classroom. We can provide written material and training for all classes.

Learning the Lake/Aquatic Ecology
Learning the Lake Journal

On the walk to the lake, students do an activity teaching about watersheds and the water cycle. They explore part of the whole lake ecosystem, and a few key organisms, and insect life cycles. Students use nets, magnifying glasses, sample containers and journal identification pages to discover aquatic macro-invertebrates.

Describe how the watershed is connected to the freshwater ecosystem and how it provides for the needs of the living things within that community (TEKS 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.2D, 5.3A, 5.4A, 5.5B, 5.11A)
Verify the journey of a raindrop that has fallen at Collin County Adventure Camp as a way of better understanding the water cycle (TEKS 5.2C, 5.5A, 5.5B, 5.6A, 5.6B, 5.11A, 5.12A)
Discuss how plant life is a critical part of a freshwater ecosystem and identify different categories of aquatic plants (TEKS 5.3B, 5.5A, 5.5 B, 5.6C, 5.9B)
Assess the health of Lindberg Lake through the collection, sorting, counting and recording of macro-invertebrates (TEKS 5.1A, 5.1B, 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.3A, 5.4A, 5.4B, 5.5B, 5.9A, 5.9B, 5.9C, 5.10B)

Prairie Land
Prairie Land Journal

A combination of Earth Processes and Prairie Adventure.

Prairie Adventure

Students are introduced to a variety of prairie plants and animals, and play a game demonstrating ecological aspects. They play a “nitrogen cycle” game, see legume plants, and learn how different organisms are an important part of biodiversity. Students use a circular hose and journal page to mark a study plot to document prairie diversity. Prairie preservation and management are introduced, and students collect prairie plants and safely burn them in a metal container. Students help control invasive cedars by safely using a saw.

Explore the attributes and behaviors, of the Blackland Prairie. (TEKS 5.1A, 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.5A, 5.5B, 5.6B, 5.9B, 5.9C, 5.12A)
Understand the historical uses of this portion of the Blackland Prairie. (TEKS 5.1A, 5.2B, 5.2C)
Learn field study techniques to determine the species diversity of the Blackland Prairie, the importance of this data, and apply it to the “species list.” (TEKS 5.1, 5.1A, 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.2E)
Understand the importance of the Blackland Prairie today and in the future. (TEKS 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.12A)

Forest Trail

The students will go on a hike through the forest and experience the forest through sight, sound, touch, and smell. They will learn how the forest spreads and changes, about several tree types and species, how a tree works, ways to identify trees, and how man can and has affected the environment.

Explore the interrelationships between plants and animals in their habitats and adaptations and their effect on the environment. (TEKS: 5.6A, 5.2C, 5.5B, 5.9B, 5.9C, 5.11B, 3.8A, 3.8B, 3.8C, 2.9A)
Study the process of succession. (TEKS: 2.9A, 3.8A, 3.8B, 3.8C, 5.2C, 5.5B, 5.9B, 5.9C, 5.11B, 5.12A)
Learn the basic concepts and practices of the science of dendrology. (TEKS: 2.9A, 3.8A, 3.8C, 5.1A, 5.2C, 5.5B, 5.6B, 5.9C, 5.11B)
Explore the Carbon/Oxygen Cycle and its practical effects. (TEKS: 5.6B)
Study the impact man has on the environment and how to make that impact positive. (TEKS: 3.8B, 3.8C, 5.2C, 5.9B, 5.11B)

Canoeing

Students take canoes and paddleboats on Lindberg Lake. A lifeguard is present, safety procedures are taught, and everyone wears a lifejacket.

Learn and show safe practices around canoes and paddle boats.
Learn and show basic canoe paddling techniques.
Experience canoeing and/or boating in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Assist in maintaining a clean and safe boating environment.

Fishing

Lindberg Lake is stocked with fish (bass, sunfish, catfish, shad), and students may fish (catch and release). Poles are provided.

Learn and show safe practices with fishing poles and bait hooks.
Experience safe catch-and-release fishing in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Learn some of the indigenous species of fish, and how they are part of the lake ecology.

Archery

Students use recurve bows to learn to shoot at a safe archery range.

Learn and show safe practices with a bow, arrow and target range.
Understand some basic history surrounding the use of bow and arrow.
Learn basic shooting technique with a beginner’s bow.
If time allows, games and contests may be introduced.

Group Challenge

Students engage in a series of team outdoor building games and group problem solving activities at the low ropes course. Team discussion skills are introduced.

Take part in group challenge games, designed to get the group to know each other and practice working together.
Build a sense of team spirit, through safe, fun and challenging activities.
Build group trust and skills through use of the low ropes elements, as time and safety allow.
Skills such as communication, trust, listening, leadership, respect, consensus building, group goal setting and planning will be utilized as themes.
Recognize and praise success in new achievements.

Climbing Wall

Using harnesses and belayed safety ropes, students are challenged to climb a 32 foot wall.

Challenge the individual to climb as they are able.
Promote group support as others climb the wall.
Learn and show safe practices in technical rock climbing.
Use a harness, helmet, climbing rope and carabiner, and understand their purpose.
Recognize and praise success in new achievements.

Outdoor Living Skills

Students learn how to select good firewood, practice building an outdoor fire, and do simple cooking such as toasting dough on a stick. As time allows, students will learn basic survival techniques, such as edible plants, shelter making, and rescue methods.

Learn to find good firewood outdoors.
Learn and practice how to safely build a fire outdoors.
Learn safety rules around outdoor fires.
Practice simple outdoor cooking.

Earth Processes

Students observe, collect data and gain understanding of erosion, stream patterns, and soil. (TEKS: 112.7.5a (2), (5), (6), 112.7.5b (2) A, B, C, D, E, (11) A, B, C, (12) A

Draw and recognize various stream patterns.
Understand the relationship between water’s energy, erosion and deposition.
Understand relative age dating and the principle of superposition.
Understand the “ingredients” of soil as sand, silt, clay and organic material.
Learn to use a soil naming diagram.
Observe soil particles in a microscope.

Scientist for a Day (lower elementary)

Students develop a hypothesis about an outdoor ecosystem (choose water, forest or prairie). Generate a method to test the hypothesis, conduct the test, and validate and discuss the results.

Review, practice and understand the scientific method.
Gain a basic understanding of a north Texas ecosystem.
Use appropriate equipment, gather and analyze field scientific data.

Seasons of the Prairie (lower elementary)

Students learn how a prairie changes throughout the year, with a focus on plants and water, seed structures, and native prairie maintenance. Search for signs of prairie wildlife.

Observe several examples of seeds and flowers on prairie plants.
Understand the significance of biodiversity, native versus exotic, and invasive species.
See examples of plant adaptations in nature.

Math in Nature

Students conduct field measurements, assemble, manipulate and analyze data in a forest, prairie, or water ecosystem.

• Orienteering (Compass)

• GPS Hunt/Geocaching

• Skull Adapatations (good for indoors

• Reflections in Nature (Language Arts)

• Raccoon Circles (teambuilding and fun)

Evening Programs

• Star Gazing

• Camp Fire

• Texas Theme Camp Fire

• Alpha Beta (cultural role playing game)