Outdoor Academy at the Anne Springs Close Greenway

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G N I N R A LE L A R U T A is N 2021 guidebook

what is it?

want to learn more?

The Outdoor Academy offers programming for all ages. From the Greenway Preschool to our Greenway Speakers Series, we provide a number of ways for students of all ages to engage with nature through both education and recreation. A number of our academic programs meet South Carolina School Curriculum Standards (where applicable) and provide a well-rounded supplement to your student’s education.

Greenway Preschool: Preschool@ASCGreenway.org (803) 547-1078

Outdoor Explorers Club NatalieSenglaub@ASCGreenway.org (803) 547-1015

Outdoor Experiential Learning, Girl Scouts, Master Naturalist and Greenway Speakers Series: SaraLee@ASCGreenway.org (803) 547-1086

S T N E T CON

greenway preschool

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for kids

Half-day nature-based preschool that prepares your little one for kindergarten while developing a sense of wonder for nature.

outdoor explorers club

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Outdoor Explorers Club offers your K-5th Grader an afternoon of outdoor adventure and exploration on the Greenway!

outdoor experiential learning 8 Online learning program that offers hands-on, outdoor experience for students, families, schools, the list goes on!

girl scouts

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The Greenway offers a variety of hands-on, interactive programs designed to meet Girl Scout badge requirements.

for adults

master naturalist

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The Master Naturalist program is a field and classroom based experiential education program designed to teach students about the natural and cultural history of South Carolina.

greenway speaker series

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The Greenway Speaker Series is an opportunity to learn and discuss conservation and recreation topics with experts and adventurers from all over the country.

GREENWAY PRESCHOOL

what is it?

The Anne Springs Close Greenway naturebased preschool fulfills the mission to connect people with nature in various ways by developing a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature in our youngest community members.

Our half-day preschool program prepares your preschooler for kindergarten while having a positive impact on your child’s emotional, mental, physical and social development.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway NatureBased Preschool follows North American Association for Environmental Education (NAEE) Guidelines for Excellence. Both indoor and outdoor experiences are incorporated into the day with a strong emphasis on outdoor exploration.

Decades of research shows that spending time in nature has the following benefits on children: Improved fitness and motor skill Supports exploration, discovery and creativity Enhances critical thinking and

problem-solving skills Inspires collaboration Reduces stress, anger and aggression Creates feelings of empathy Supports whole-child development

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the details Who? Older 3-5 years old, must be pottytrained

When? Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm Monday-Friday, turning 4yrs by 9/1/21 MWF or TTh, turning 4yrs 9/2/21-12/31/21

Where? Monday-Friday, Greenway Nature Center | MWF & T/Th, Hampton Wildlife Fund Adventure Center

Cost? $125 non-refundable registration $110/week, Monday-Friday $66/week, MWF | $44/week, T/Th Greenway members receive 10% discount

Sign-up? Registration opens in January.

Register at ASCGreenway.org/Preschool.

OUTDOOR EXPLORERS CLUB 6

what is it?

Need an afternoon to get caught up on work or chores? Worried about your child sitting in front of a screen or cooped up all day? Outdoor Explorers Club offers your child an afternoon of outdoor adventure and exploration on the Greenway! Children will be able to spend two afternoons a week outside, trying out new activities, exploring the Greenway, making friends and learning new skills.

Outdoor Explorers Club is designed to supplement all learning styles occurring this year and will focus on meeting the social, emotional and physical well-being of your child. Children will attend two days a week, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/ Thursday. Signups are on a week by week basis for your convenience.

what activities?

Outdoor Explorers Club intends to have your child outside all afternoon so they should come dressed for the weather in clothes and shoes that work for all weather and terrain. Parents should expect children to come home muddy! Our main goal is to have fun, be active and introduce your child to all the outdoors has to offer. While the club is child-led and free form as much as possible, there will be a focus activity each week in which children are guaranteed to participate one day each week. The activities may happen in other weeks as well but it is guaranteed to occur during the weeks listed below.

the details Who? Kindergarten-5th grade When? Two days a week, either Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs; Drop-off between 2:30-3pm, pick-up between 5:30-5:45pm

Where? Lake Haigler Entrance at 2375 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Cost? $70/week nonmembers, 10% discount for members. $30 deposit due upon registration for each week enrolled.

Sign-up? Reservations required in advance. Signups on a week by week basis.

Minimum of two days a week (M/W or Tu/ Th) but option to do all four.

Other: Children will be in groups of 14 with two Outdoor Program Staff. Where possible we will group children by age. No technology or cell phones please!

outdoor experiential learning

what is it?

Outdoor Experiential Learning (OEL) is unique, customizable outdoor programming tailored to meet a variety of education and recreation needs. Recreation components such as hiking, kayaking and mountain biking are paired with educational elements such as history, water ecology and prairie ecology to create a well-rounded program.

Programs can be as physical/passive or as educational/recreational as needed.

Highly interactive and customizable programs Can be adapted for any age range Work within a variety of budgets

Meet SC School Curriculum Standards (where applicable)

Led by trained Outdoor Program staff Schedule a one-time program or a

series over the semester Not sure where to start? Check out some of our sample programs or contact our Program Director to discuss program options.

the details Who? For large and small groups of students, homeschool families, co-ops or anyone looking for online learning with outdoor, hands-on experience. Also for schools looking for field trip or outreach opportunities.

Cost? Each program priced individually.

Series pricing and larger group/per child pricing available.

Sign-up? Complete the interest form and

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we will contact you to discuss your specific needs. At least one parent/chaperone required to stay with group at no charge.

world of water

E L P SAM : S M A R G O R P radical reptiles

In this one-hour program, learn about the three main characteristics of reptiles, a variety of fascinating reptile information and meet our resident snakes and turtles.

Optional extension: Hike out to see our coverboards and learn about monitoring snakes and being a herpetologist.

Duration? 1 hour Cost? $100 for up to 10 students. $5/ student over 10 students

night explorations Explore the Greenway at a most magical time, after the sun has set! During this program we will start the evening off reviewing campfire safety and learning how to build a fire. Once we’ve had a delicious s’more we will put the fire out and spend some time letting our eyes to adjust to the dark and learning about an awesome nighttime animal–the owl. Once it’s fully dark we will set off into the woods to explore both the woods at night and to see how our sense react to being outside.

Duration? 2–2.5 hours Cost? $180 for up to 8 students. $12/ student over 8 students.

In this program we will learn about indicators of good water quality and perform a variety of water quality tests.

Learn about local fish and what creates a balanced lake ecosystem. Wrap up your day by trying your hand at fishing! We will teach you how to bait your hook, cast, and reel in a fish!

Duration? 2.5 hours Cost? $180 for up to 8 students. $8/student over 8 students.

total wild Got a group that’s wild about animals?

We’ve got the program for you! In this wonderfully wild program we will spend two hours going over a variety of animal-related and curriculum based topics based on the interest of your group. Maybe they want to learn about owls, skull ID, tracks, bird beak adaptations, or camouflage? Let us know where you want to focus and we will provide hands on activities that highlight a variety of concepts as well as being fun and engaging.

Duration? 2 hours Cost? $150 for up to 8 students. $5/ student over 8.

View the full curriculum at:

ASCGreenway.org

GIRL SCOUTS

what is it?

The Greenway offers a variety of hands-on, interactive learning programs specifically designed to meet Girl Scout badge requirements.

Let our experienced team help your Girl Scout troop earn their outdoor badges!

All our programs either help you earn the badge or get you one step away from it.

Our spring public programs are listed in this guide. We also offer private programs for your troop. Find details about these programs on our website.

e g d a b E L P M SA : S M A R G O R P cadette archery badge Come out to take aim learning some new skills! Girls will be trained in archery range safety, basic form, and proper execution.

Girls will have time to practice their new skills while creating challenges for their fellow participants.

Get to know archery equipment

Learn about archery safety

Practice before going on a range

Shoot on an archery range

Create an archery challenge

Cost? $20/Girl Scout

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daisy/brownie sense badge

junior gardener badge

Get the most out of your hike by exploring five senses in nature. We will explore using taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight, and we will cover all components of the Brownie Sense Investigation Badge.

Did you know the Greenway is home to a Plant-A-Row Garden, where all the produce grown is donated to a local good bank? For the gardener badge we will visit this outdoor garden and learn about the different vegetables and flowers grown here. We will also plant in the garden before working on making our own mini Zen garden or terrarium. We will wrap up with an experiment that we can take home to watch the results of.

Look around

Listen to the world

Put your nose to work

Take a taste test

Touch and feel

Cost? $12/Girl Scout

brownie outdoor badge We will start by playing some outdoor games and then learn some outdoor skills.

Prepare to get wet, as we explore in our creek looking for all sorts of critters, and covering all but one of the components of the Outdoor Adventure Badge.

Play outdoors in a new way

Explore nature

Buddy up and play outdoor games

Learn a camp skill

Care for the outdoors

Cost? $15/Girl Scout

Visit a garden

Explore garden design

Learn how to choose garden plants

Experiment with seeds

Grow your garden

Cost? $20/Girl Scout

master Naturalist 12

what is it?

The SC Master Naturalist program is a field and classroom based experiential education program designed to teach students about the natural and cultural history of South Carolina.

Students will spend a majority of time outside learning about the wonders of the natural world and explorer a variety of places from the Anne Springs Close Greenway to 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve to Congaree National Park and more.

the details When? The program meets for a full day (9am-5pm) every Wednesday from March to May.

Cost? $600 per person.

Sign-up? Register through the Clemson Cooperative Extension office.

Please email Programs@ASCGreenway.org to inquire about the Master Naturalist program or learn about other Adult Education programs.

greenway speaker seires

what is it?

The Greenway Speaker Series is an opportunity to learn and discuss conservation and recreation topics with experts and adventurers from all over the country. Topics and opportunities will vary from casual conversations to intimate dinners with renowned speakers.

the details Speakers?

Jennifer Pharr Davis, Author, Speaker & National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

When? Saturday, May 15 | 6-9pm Where? Bob Reid Field Trial Barn, 195 Adventure Road, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Cost? $21 general admission, $15 Greenway members, Free for 14 and under. Picnic add-on option available: $35, $50 with wine

Tickets? Purchase tickets here.

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about the speaker Jennifer Pharr Davis is an adventurer, author, speaker, and member of the President's Council for Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. She has covered more than 14,000 miles of long distance trails on six different continents and in 2011 she set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail by hiking nearly 47 miles a day for 46 straight days. Jennifer has written eight books and has contributed articles to the New York Times, Outside magazine, Backpacker, and Trail Runner.

Jennifer is founder and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, a guiding service that strives “to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable” for hikers of all ages, genders, and ability levels. She has served as a board member for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and an ambassador for the American Hiking Society. In 2012, she was named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and in 2016 she received North Carolina's Laurel Wreath Award, the state highest honor for athletic achievement. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband Brew and their daughter Charley and son Gus.

for more information info@ASCGreenway.org (803) 547-4575 www.ASCGreenway.org