Intro to OEE Program - Amigo Centre

Introduction to the Program

We offer residential programs and one-day programs for students in kindergarten through grade 12. We have developed curriculum that is linked to state academic standards for Michigan and Indiana for Kindergarten and Grades 4-6. Our desire is to tailor programs to meet the scheduling and educational needs of each group. The result is a broad spectrum of programs offered throughout the school year.

Our program for homeschoolers is another branch of the Outdoor/Environmental Education Program that seeks to provide science classes from a Christian perspective for families in our area.

Mission:
The Outdoor and Environmental Education Program exists to support Amigo Centre's mission by using Amigo's land and resources to:
1) Provide unique learning opportunities in an outdoor setting.
2) Foster a better understanding and appreciation of ecology, the natural environment God created and humanity's place within creation.
3) Actively model stewardship of the resources God has entrusted us.

The program provides opportunities to learn new skills, as well as apply and link classroom concepts to experiences through hands-on activities in an outdoor setting. Amigo Centre’s philosophy is one of partnering together with the school to provide a memorable and educational experience.

Diverse Natural Setting:
Amigo Centre’s “outdoor classroom” offers…
- 100 acre marsh with boardwalk
- opportunities for water activities on Perrin Lake and Chapin Lake
- trails through 100 + acres of mature coniferous and deciduous forest
- a meadow maintained by periodic burns
- mowed playing fields
- Beaver Island, an undeveloped, wilderness setting

Facilities :
The following facilities are utilized by the Outdoor Education program:
- thirteen heated cabins, one rustic cabin
- a modern bathhouse located close to the cabins
- a multi-use pavilion that seats 300
- a carpeted dining hall that accommodates 200
- a Nature Center with two classrooms filled with hands-on-displays, live animals and a birding window.
- an 8500 square foot Activities Center with volleyball courts, basketball courts and table games
- indoor meeting spaces in the event of inclement weather

History of Program:
- Program was started in 1971 to provide students an opportunity for experiential learning. York Elementary School (Bristol, IN) students were the first to participate in the program.
- Presently serve over 2000 students annually from public and private schools in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.
In 1999, a six-session Nature Study course for Homeschoolers was started. This program has a separate curriculum and offers classes for Kindergarten through Grade 9.

Staff:
- A full-time Coordinator of Outdoor / Environmental Education with an education degree and a love of the outdoors works with the groups to care for the details of a school's stay at camp and functions as the contact person at camp.
- The Coordinator of Outdoor / Environmental Education instructs classes and/or supervises other instructors and prepares curriculum.
- Other Amigo Centre staff also serve as instructors for classes and/or evening activities.
- Occasional interns from various colleges who serve as instructors.
- Amigo Centre’s philosophy is one of partnering together with the school to provide a quality experience for the students. Thus Amigo will provide up to three instructors for each group and the Coordinator of Outdoor / Environmental Education works with school to train teachers and chaperones to teach the remaining courses.