Schools should apply now for Deer Valley Outdoor Environmental Education program

Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp is now accepting applications from schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia interested in sending students to its popular Outdoor Environmental Education program. Openings are available for this coming fall as well as spring 2024.

Located between Fort Hill and Meyersdale, near Mount Davis, Deer Valley is situated on 740 wooded acres with a 125-acre lake, offering a one-of-a-kind learning experience for students. Operated by the YMCA of Pittsburgh, Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp is recognized as one of the top family camps in the nation.

In addition to offering a popular summer camp for families, Deer Valley hosts groups and events year-round, including a vibrant Outdoor Environmental Education program attended by school students from a four-state region. Deer Valley’s “living classroom” is on the 724 pristine acres at the base of the highest mountain in the state. The camp offers woodlands, fields, ponds, streams, rock formations, hiking trails, a wide variety of trees and plants, and abundant animal life.

"Our program dates back to 1986 when our first school attended. They had a lot of ideas for programming, so Deer Valley was able to partner with them to form the program they still attend to this day," said James Pointer, executive director of the Deer Valley YMCA. "The opportunity for a child to be outside in nature is transformative."

The camp’s Outdoor Environmental Education program is designed to meet state academic standards while offering students a unique opportunity to learn about the natural environment in a beautiful outdoor setting.

"Deer Valley's Environmental Education Program was created by realizing that there is a need for children to get outside of the classroom and that we had the resources available. When you look at the camp, it is the perfect place to use as an educational resource," Pointer said. "All of the nature, activities, and beautiful lake lends itself to being a transformative educational experience."

The program is a unique opportunity for students to connect with nature through hikes, wildlife, stargazing, high ropes course, and more.

"Deer Valley's Environmental Education Program is an opportunity for kids who are typically in fourth through sixth grade to come and explore nature. We work in partnership with teachers and schools to pair with areas of their curriculum and meet state education requirements," Pointer said. "They experience nature hands-on through various activities that allow them to learn in new ways, taking all the disciplines they learn in a school setting and placing it in nature. A lot of our schools don't have access to vast natural resources, so this can be a truly unique and transformative experience for a child."

The camp’s core curriculum is designed for middle school students but can be adapted for any age of student. Schools bring students for full-day trips as well as multiple-day, overnight visits. Students, teachers and chaperones stay in cabins or in a winterized, dorm-style lodge. Healthy meals are served in the camp dining hall. Many schools encourage parent-chaperones, creating memorable child-parent experiences.

“We are excited about connecting with new schools and students to share our remarkable outdoor classroom with them,” said Pointer. “Schools and parents tell us repeatedly how transformative our program has been for their students. We want to share that experience with as many students as we can.”

Deer Valley will also customize its program to meet a school’s needs. Activities and programs include: water ecology, forest ecology, outdoor survival skills, orienteering, stargazing, canoeing, snow tubing, hiking to highest point in Pennsylvania, pioneer life, and team-building experiences, including a high ropes course.

"Kids are stuck inside for school all day, and Deer Valley's program provides an expansive outdoor classroom that gives the students a chance to get outside of their comfort zones. This program allows them to be their true selves," Pointer said. "When you look at nature it is commonly known how nourishing and replenishing nature is and that's exactly what we've seen when students participate in our program. It's great to be out in nature and just have fun. Teachers get to see their students in a different light and the parents that attend get to see the learning process first-hand."

Schools interested in learning more about Deer Valley’s program can visit the website or call 1-800-YMCA-FUN.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Deer Valley Outdoor Environment Educational program open to schools