Wild Kingdom

This session(s) is an introduction to wildlife study; components of habitat, predator-prey relationships, and food chains are the basics of understanding wildlife needs and survival. We will use games/activities to teach these concepts. We also have the taxidermist animals in Creation Station to point students to the God who created these animals with a variety of “adaptations” so they could survive in a wonderfully complex world.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Wet and Wild

This hands-on exploration of the edges of Little James Lake is one of our favorite classes. Students will see a wide variety of plants and animals as we collect and observe frogs, minnows, crayfish, and aquatic insects. We will begin with discussion about the values of these “riparian” communities and why the Creator made them. Then we’ll go outdoors and use the hip waders and aquatic nets. This class is especially fun in spring when the frogs are abundant.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Behold the Birds of the Air

An introductory study of birds will teach us something about intelligent design in creation. Students will learn about the incredible features of birds. Using binoculars, we will observe birds at the bird feeders and out in the woods, and learn to identify common species by sound and sight.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Animal Tracks and Signs

We can have a pretty good idea of what is happening with wildlife around us if we learn to “read” animal tracks and other signs. Students will use rubber-mold animal feet and plaster of paris to make “take home” track casts. Then they will go outdoors to hunt for some real tracks.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Exploring the Night Sky

The heavens declare the glory of God…

If the skies are clear, we will use the telescope (at night) to look at stars and planets. As a daytime class, we will use videos to examine how the universe demonstrates the existence of a Creator.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Night Sounds and Sights

Here’s an activity that will be something new and unique for students. The night hike (with flashlights covered with a red filter) introduces them to the world of nocturnal animals. We will spend several minutes sitting quietly and listening to the sounds of the night and perhaps even getting a look at some birds or mammals active at night.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Nature Theme Hikes

Explore part of our 570 acres (or the nearby Ice Age Trail) on a hike. Nature hikes with a theme can be fun! Examples of a hike theme include: get lost hike, scavenger hunt, animal homes hunt, tree or wildflower identification hike, sensory hike, and curiosities hike.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Mysteries of the Bog

What is it about bogs that fascinates us, causing students to react with exclamations like, “awesome,” “gross,” and “may we go to the bog again?” We will hike to Blueberry Bog, a glacially-formed kettle bog that features a large mass of sphagnum peat moss to walk on and two kinds of carnivorous plants to observe. Stay on the boardwalk to keep your feet dry or take your shoes off and feel the wet sphagnum with your bare feet!

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Limnology

Depending on the time allowance, we will begin with an indoor session about the unique properties of H2O , our absolute dependence on it for life, water quality, and aquatic ecology. Outdoors, we will collect and observe aquatic animals and conduct water quality tests at one or more of our aquatic areas (lakes, ponds, bogs, creek, marsh).

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Exploring Special Places

Students will find their own special place out in the woods. They will choose from several observation activities in their personal “Explorer’s Guide”; activities that encourage them to use their senses to focus on the beauty of God’s creation around them.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

A Sense of Wonder

One of our desires in outdoor education is to help students appreciate the Creator and the creation through developing a “sense of wonder” about the natural world. This session will have students using their senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to focus on the creation around us.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Wildflowers Walk

“Consider the lilies of the field…” Late spring (May) is a great season for observing a variety of wildflowers in our woods. We will learn about the features of some unique plants; then go out to the forest and field to find and identify the flowers.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Trees R Us!

Get acquainted with some tree-mendous food producers and air cleaners - trees! Students will learn about photosynthesis, tree growth, how we use trees, and how to identify some common tree species. We have a wide variety of trees here, but the favorite area for many of us is the hemlock/white pine grove that features some 100 year old giants.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Forestry

This class will focus on the forest types we have at camp (mixed hardwoods, birch-popple, hemlock-pine), forest succession, and management of our forest resources. Students will also learn to identify tree species and estimate the size of trees.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Team Challenge Course Option

The focus is on teamwork as students and adults tackle some of the 15 elements of the low-element ropes course. Trained staff will facilitate your experience; helping to make it fun and safe. Be ready for a dynamic learning experience!

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Orienteering

Students will learn how to use a compass and test those skills with a compass game. In a more extensive orienteering program, we will learn how to read a topographic map and then work in pairs on an orienteering course, looking for markers set out somewhere in our 570 acres. In winter we use snow shoes for traveling through the woods

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Canoe Trip Option

Students in senior high classes may choose to go on a one or two-day canoe trip on the nearby Flambeau River as part of their week at Camp Forest Springs. We have the staff and all the equipment you will need for a fun supplement to the program. This option will involve an additional charge.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Canoeing

Instruction in the basics of canoeing for novice and intermediate paddlers, followed by a paddling tour around James Lake.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter

Basic Camping Skills

This is an introduction to outdoor/camping skills including fire building and cooking something simple. Students will have an opportunity to practice these skills. We will also introduce to them the idea of practicing good stewardship through minimum impact camping habits.

• Grades 7-12
• Spring, Fall, and Winter