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Crystal Lake benefits from joint project: Wins I.P.R.S. Recognition COMBINED NATURE CENTER AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM The Crystal Lake Outdoor Education program and Crystal Lake Nature Center have been selected as the first of what is hoped to be many significantly unique programs and facilities to be recognized by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Society. The I.P.R.S. program is an activity of the Park and Recreation Practices committee, promoting excellent park and recreation programs and facilities. Although the committee is most interested in new programs and facilities, consideration is given to all facilities and programs brought to its attention. Early in 1970 Joe H. Doud, Northbrook Park District Manager and chairman for this phase of the Park and Recreation Practices committee activity, circulated an invitation to Illinois Park and Recreation agencies to complete a questionnaire if they felt they had an outstanding facility or program and wished to be considered for recognition. D. James Oerkfitz, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Crystal Lake Park District, submitted one of the questionnaires which the committee considered. Additional information was secured, and the nature center and outdoor education program were selected for recognition, and a resolution to this effect was adopted by the I.P.R.S. at its annual meeting in Chicago. The Crystal Lake project was selected as being significant for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that residents of Crystal Lake are provided with a comprehensive program of outdoor education and environmental studies. The combined nature center and outdoor education program is a joint activity of the Crystal Lake Park District, the school districts in Crystal Lake and other organizations and individuals within the community, although essentially a joint project of the Crystal Lake Park District and School District #47. The nature center structure was designed by Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 March/April, 1971 Robert J. Freund, architect; those interested in the design of nature centers will find an examination of his work worthwhile. The original funding for the project came from the federal government through the Title III program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and was selected in 1970 as the Illinois project that best fulfilled the concepts of innovation and exemplary design to be presented to the United States Congress in a report prepared by each state. The Crystal Lake project was selected from 110 funded by Title III programs in Illinois. In addition, Norbert Zeimer, the nature center director, was selected Conservation Teacher of the Year for the northern Illinois area. An associated animal shelter which began as "a place for ducks and rabbits" is now known as the "zoo" and houses white-tailed deer, turkeys, and many other types of birds and small animals. The estimated 12,000 visitors a year also have the opportunity of walking on a woodchip trail through wooded areas adjacent to the center. A summer outdoor education program provided by the Crystal Lake Park District, complements the school year program. The beginning program offered in the summer includes a variety of nature study and nature lore courses, but the major portion consists of a series of single visits by children registered in the playground program. Additional developments are expected in the summer program. Communities interested in promoting an outdoor education project may be interested in reviewing some of the significant features of the Crystal Lake School Community Outdoor Education project as identified in one of its evaluations: 1) Employment of an outdoor education professional, secretarial help, and professional consultants. 2) An outdoor education committee representative of all schools participating. 3) The development of a lay committee as an advisory group in regard to policy decisions, as a sounding board, and as a part of the project evaluation program. 4) Cooperative association with and sharing of park district facilities. 5)
Development of a teacher information program including publications, workshops, demonstration presentations, etc. 6) Provision of related equipment, material, and library facilities to pupils and teachers. 7) Transportation of children to the outdoor education center and to superlative areas nearby. 8) The provision of an extensive summer program of outdoor education in cooperation with the Park District. As part of the evaluation of the program, sixth grade classes have been tested annually, and although not validated, it appears that students who have had more outdoor experiences have performed better when tested with the Inventory of Science Attitudes, Interests, and Appreciations. Crystal Lake residents have ideas where their program can be improved. They are beginning in the development of a significant study of a contemporary problem. Crystal Lake provides a community school outdoor education program involving many persons and groups designed largely to assist the schools and teachers to meet educational objectives relating to the development of understandings, interests, appreciations, and concerns about the out-of-doors and man's environment. The Park District plays a significant role. Park and Recreation agencies throughout Illinois might look further at the Crystal Lake project as one which might be implemented in other communities.
Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 March/April, 1971 |
Conservation Teacher of the Year for Northern Illinois, Norbert Zeimer, gives educational tips to interested students.