EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION CENTER
Lake Lavon Camp & Conference Center
Changing circumstances can lead to a new perspective on old ideas. As many parents are thrust into a deeper evaluation of their children’s educational experience and teachers search for methods of engagement. Focus should be turned to the Experiential Educational Model.
Society has bemoaned the inert knowledge that educational systems have produced increasingly over the years. Disengaged students regurgitating rote information without practical application leads to frustrated parents, educators, community leaders and students.
The solution is not new. It was pioneered by early educational reformers such as John Dewey, Kurt Lewin, and Jean Piaget, later championed by David Kolb. It is experiential education - a teaching philosophy that informs many methodologies in which student’s are purposely engaged in direct experience and focused reflection. Teachers act more as facilitators by leading students to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values and contribute to teams and ultimately communities. Basically, learning becomes a hands on activity that leads to a greater understanding and actual, practical transfer of knowledge.
Studies have shown that experiential education leads to increased critical thinking abilities, higher levels of resilience and improved social skills. In addition to an increased capacity for applying reason, students gain a higher level of retention.
Lake Lavon Experiential Education Center is dedicated to engaging and challenging students with a multifaceted curriculum that instills a passion for learning, individual growth and resilience that equips them for future success and benefits the community as a whole.
The Experiential Education Center at Lake Lavon facilitates hands-on education for students through original, creative and challenging curriculum. The students will be engaged, enlightened and encouraged
The Nature of Energy
Explore the origins of energy and humans’ efforts to efficiently harness it throughout history. An intriguing blend of science and history, this course includes introductions to various types of green energy.
Team Building
Our trained facilitators will lead students through one of our low ropes challenges as they learn key concepts in communication, team work and critical thinking.
Nature Hike
We will introduce student’s to the hidden world around them. Student’s will explore an essay by Aldo Leopold as they maneuver through our trails, searching for different ecosystems and signs of wild-life. Each student will be challenged to articulate a view of environmental ethics.
The Secret Life of Trees
The students will dive into the many amazing functions that occur during a tree’s life. The class features several hands-on activities that will engage all the senses and trigger the imagination.
Weather and Meteorology
Discover why the wind blows and sharpen your forecasting skills, perhaps even make your debut as a weatherperson on TV! Students will walk through several demonstrations and learn how many of our forecasting tools come into existence.
Fishing
Let’s take the student’s fishing! We’ll learn about different species and habitats. We will even mix in some math as we analyze our catches. Remember, your worst day fishing - beats your best day working!
Pioneer Living
Students will explore many facets of the challenges faced by pioneers in the late 1800’s. We will discover their methods of travel, building and cooking along with the tools they relied on to survive and thrive in the untamed frontier.
Orienteering Adventures
Unlock the explorer’s spirit in your students as they learn to navigate with a compass and a map. They will learn how to read topographical maps, discover the importance of accuracy and precision while hunting for archeological treasures. An exciting combination of practical skills and social studies.
Your choice of half day or full day. All schedules are customizable. Minimum requirement of 10 students per group. First 2 adult chaperones are included at no charge.
Full Day Package - $48/Student
- 2 Classes
- 1 Recreational Activity
- 1 Team Building/Critical Thinking Activity
Sample Schedule for Full Day
9:00 am - Arrive
9:30 am - Class 1
11:00 am - Team Building
12:30 pm - Lunch Break
1:30 pm - Class 2
3:00 pm - Recreation Activity
4:30 pm - Depart
Half Day Package - $35/Student
- 1 Class
- 1 Recreational Activity
Sample Schedule for Half Day
8:30 am - Arrive
9:00 am - Class
11:00 am - Recreation Activity
12:30 pm - Depart
Recreation Actives are:
Swim Lake
Swimming Pool
Zip Line
Bazzooka Ball
Canoeing and Kayaking