Wahsega 4-H Center: Environmental Education: Trip Planning Guide
Classes
- Day Class Options
- Evening Class Options
- GPS Correlations
- Day Class Descriptions
- Evening Class Descriptions
Day Class Options
- Challenge Course
- Entomology
- Forest Ecology
- Geology & Soils
- Herpetology
- High-ropes (Additional charges and restrictions apply)
- Orienteering
- Pioneer Life
- Stream Ecology
- Survival
- Wildlife
- Discovery Hike*
- Gold Panning*
- Wilderness Art*
*Teachers or chaperones from the school normally provide instruction for this class.
Evening Class Options
- Astronomy
- Night Wildlife
- Sensory Awareness
- Campfire Songs & Skits*
- Dance Party*
- Movie*
- Native American Games*
- New Games*
- Ultimate Frisbee*
*Teachers or chaperones from the school normally provide instruction for this class.
GPS Correlation Guides
Classes are matched to the GPS by grade level. This means that the major concepts taught in a class are determined by GPS requirements. The concepts we teach are listed in the Wahsega GPS Correlation Guides below. There may be numerous indirect relationships in a class to many concepts covered by the GPS; however, these indirect concepts are not listed.
Kindergarten-2nd Grades
3rd-5th Grades
6th-8th Grades
High School
Day Class Descriptions
Day Classes Led by Wahsega's Staff
1. CHALLENGE COURSE
Goals: To help students increase personal confidence, build mutual support within a peer group, and aid in understanding the importance of planning and cooperation.
Methods: Students will go through a series of activities designed to give students clearly defined mental and physical problems to solve. The challenges offer students the opportunity to stretch beyond their boundaries in a safe environment, allowing growth in self-awareness and self-confidence. The challenge course elements are designed to force students to plan and work together as a team to solve the specific problems presented.
Skills: Leadership, Cooperation, Coordination, Mutual respect, Discipline, Patience, Listening, Processing, Oral communication, Following directions
2. ENTOMOLOGY
Goals: To discover how diverse the insect kingdom is, become aware of the traits that enable insects to survive in their habitats and understand the role of insects in relation to other living things.
Methods: Students learn the characteristics and body parts of insects. Also, students explore different habitat areas around Wahsega observing, collecting and gathering information about insects.
Skills: Observation, Identification, Classification, Comparing Similarities and Differences, Matching, Processing Skills, and Problem Solving Skills
3. FOREST ECOLOGY
Goals: To help students understand and appreciate the relationships and inter-dependency that characterizes a forest ecosystem.
Methods: Students will participate in a group discussion exploring the implications of community. While hiking on a trail, students will participate in activities that illustrate the life cycles that exist in the forest and search for signs of the members of that community.
Skills: Observation, Identification, Classification, Comparing & Contrasting, Analyzing, Processing Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Comprehension, and Sensory Awareness Skills
4. GEOLOGY & SOILS
Goals: To help students understand the internal structure of our planet and identify the major forces which alter Earth’s surface. Also, to encourage students to identify ways in which humans are affected by the geology of an area as well as ways that humans depend on healthy soils.
Methods: Students will use maps and models to identify landforms and demonstrate the tectonic plate movements that produce such features. Students will observe rock types and weathering forces at work in natural surroundings and take part in activities that re-create weathering patterns. While visiting Wahsega’s soil window, students will have an opportunity to identify soil horizons and soil type.
Skills: Modeling, Data Collection, Observation, Identification, Classification, Comprehension, Sensory Perception.
5. HERPETOLOGY
Goals: To introduce students to characteristics, differences, and roles of reptiles and amphibians.
Methods: After participating in a group discussion to identify characteristics of reptiles and amphibians students will have the opportunity to handle live specimens.
Skills: Observation, Application, Classification, Description, Comparing Similarities & Differences, Reading, animal Handling
6. HIGH-ROPES
Goals: To use the high-ropes challenge course to help students in 5th grade or higher identify and then overcome self-imposed limitations.
Methods: The lead teacher will select one high-ropes element from the three available (Zip Line, Climbing Wall, and Flying Squirrel). Students will then be instructed in appropriate safety methods and equipment usage before beginning. With the support of their peers and Wahsega staff members, students will be encouraged to accept the challenge presented by the element and then accomplish the goal of the element as set out by Wahsega staff members.
Skills: Identification, Analyzing, Problem Solving, and Comprehension.
Note: Work with the Program Coordinator to determine if your group size is appropriate for high-ropes. Very large groups require special considerations.
7. ORIENTEERING
Goals: To introduce students to the proper use of the compass and the proper pacing technique.
Methods: Students will listen to a mini-lecture describing compass parts, how to take a bearing, and proper pacing techniques, then participate in activities practicing these skills.
Skills: Application, Estimation, Computation, Listening & Following Directions, Measurement, Psychomotor Development
8. PIONEER LIFE (Not scheduled with gold panning)
Goals: Through observation and participation students explore the life of the Pioneers of North Georgia.
Methods: Students will participate in a group discussion about the effects of Europeans in Georgia on Native Americans. In addition they will use tools of the early settlers to explore the nature of daily life during this time period, pan for gold, make candles, and end class with a discussion on technological advances and how their life might be different if they were alive during the time of the Georgia gold rush.
Skills: Coordination, Discipline & Patience, Listening, and Following Directions.
9. STREAM ECOLOGY
Goals: To aid students in their understanding and appreciation of the importance of the water cycle; recognize differences in the life stages of aquatic animals as they grow and discover the diversity of animals that live in a stream. Students also learn to distinguish the difference between healthy streams and unhealthy streams.
Methods: The students will participate in activities that enhance their understanding of the water cycle and aquatic ecosystems; students also capture, identify, and observe stream animals.
Skills: Observation, Inference, Identification, Collecting, Classifying & Categorizing, Comparing Similarities & Differences, Matching, Recognition, and Critter Catching
10. SURVIVAL
Goals: To teach skills and techniques which help prevent students from getting lost in the woods and what to do if they become lost. Students will learn to set up a survival camp and will demonstrate understanding of basic survival needs and how to fulfill these needs in the wilderness.
Methods: Activities are incorporated into discussion about how not to get lost and the five basic survival needs. Students decide what items and methods should be utilized. Students are challenged to construct a survival shelter.
Skills: Problem Solving, Inference, Observation, Psychomotor Development, and Cooperation
11. WILDLIFE
Goals: To help students understand some of the natural processes that affect the wildlife of the Chattahoochee National Forest, their habitat and how human activity affects wildlife.
Methods: Students will participate in activities that enhance their understanding of the essential components of habitats, the importance of good habitat for animals, what limiting factors affect animals and the importance of predator/prey relationships.
Skills: Generalization, Psychomotor Development, Graphing, Application, Comparing Similarities & Differences
Day Classes – Teacher-Led Options
1. DISCOVERY HIKE – ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS
Goals: Students will explore characteristics of organisms found in the forest around Wahsega and consider their interactions with each other and the environment.
Methods: A hike along a trail in the national forest is marked by several stopping points, each presenting students with a question or challenge.
Materials: Hiking guide for group leader, worksheets, pencils
Skills: Observation, Compare/contrast, Analyzing, Identification and Comprehension.
2. GOLD PANNING (Not scheduled with pioneer life) – ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS
Goals: To introduce students to the early history of Georgia and the role of gold in the relations between Native Americans and colonists.
Methods: After a brief discussion about Georgia’s pioneer and gold rush history, students have the opportunity to pan for gold.
Skills: Observation, Compare/contrast, Analyzing, and Comprehension.
3. WILDERNESS ART – ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS
Select an educational and artistic project for your students to complete in this 1 ½ hour class time. You will need to provide instructions and materials. Work with the Program Coordinator to determine if your project is a good fit for the schedule and facilities.
Wahsega can provide the supplies for Nature Sketching:
Goals: Students use various mediums to explore environmental education concepts.
Methods: Hike out into the woods and choose a natural scene to capture. Using pastels and crayons students will sketch nature scenes.
Materials: crayons, pastels, paper.
Skills: Problem Solving, Hypotheses Formulating and Testing, Aesthetic Sensitivity, and Dexterity
Evening classes led by Wahsega’s staff
1. ASTRONOMY
Goals: To increase the student's knowledge of astronomy concepts and locations of common stars and constellations.
Methods: Students observe the night sky with the aided and unaided eye. Students are exposed to asterisms, constellations, stories related to the constellations, significant stars and planets visible in the evening sky and the relative scale of the solar system.
Skills: Observation, Literary Awareness, Creativity and Identification
2. NIGHT WILDLIFE
Goals: To help students understand and distinguish between nocturnal and diurnal animal traits.
Methods: Students participate in activities and games that aid in their discovery of nocturnal animal traits.
Skills: Observation, Problem Solving, Classification, Inference, Investigation, and Processing
3. SENSORY AWARENESS
Goals: To increase the student's awareness of their various senses and illustrate how dependent humans are on the sense of sight.
Methods: Students participate in multi-sensory exercises illustrating the limitations of human sensory organs at night.
Skills: Listening, Observation, Classification, Coordination and Independence
Evening classes – teacher-led options
1. CAMPFIRE SONGS, SKITS & STORIES – USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS WELL.
Goals: To provide students with the opportunity to interact socially in an educational and entertaining setting.
Methods: Students participate in songs, skits and stories at a campfire.
Skills: Oral Communication, Cooperation, Observation, Listening, Acting and Public Speaking
2. DANCE PARTY – ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS
Teachers who wish to have a dance in the Rec. Hall for their students may do so. Please communicate with Wahsega’s Program Coordinator when making these plans.
3. MOVIE IN THE REC HALL – ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL LEAD THIS.
Teachers who wish to show a movie in the Rec. hall may do so. Please communicate with Wahsega’s Program Coordinator when making these plans. You will need to bring your own movie. Snacks are not allowed in the Rec. hall.
4. NATIVE AMERICAN GAMES – USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS WELL.
Goals: To allow students to experience non-traditional physical activities, introduce them to other cultures, and show students how other cultures used games to teach lessons or make decisions.
Methods: Students participate in a series of active games similar to those played by Native American people.
Skills: Discipline, Agility, Communication, Processing Skills, Patience, Listening, Observation and Psychomotor Development
5. NEW GAMES – USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS WELL.
Goals: To enable students to increase their agility, trust and cooperation within a group using non-traditional physical activities.
Methods: Students participate in a series of active physical activities designed to build group cooperation and trust.
Skills: Problem Solving, Processing, Discipline, Psychomotor Development, and Oral Communication
6. ULTIMATE FRISBEE – USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL LEAD THIS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS WELL.
Goals: To encourage students to use teamwork to reach a common goal, to encourage physical activity while having fun and to demonstrate to students that they can enjoy themselves while staying within the structure set forth by the rules of the game.
Methods: Students participate in a short orientation where they learn the basics of throwing a Frisbee and the rules of Ultimate Frisbee. Then the students participate in a game of Ultimate Frisbee.
Skills: Discipline, Agility, Verbal and non-verbal communication, Patience, Cooperation, Team skills, Leadership, Hand-eye coordination and Athletic ability.
