 The Outdoor Education Program is a unique and innovative aspect
of the High Meadows experience. We support the Mission
Statement
by offering enrichment programs to students, parents, staff
members, and the community at large. Our year-round programs focus on nature-based activities, team-building initiatives,
and adventure sports, exposing participants to skills and values
that complement academic curriculum and support our core values.
We serve well over 1000 children yearly in various capacities.
We also plan and operate the summer day camp program, one of
the best in Georgia. In a safe, professional, recreational
context, we introduce and encourage unique experiences in the
outdoors leading to environmental awareness, healthy interpersonal
relationships, and self-improvement.
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All of our outdoor education programs adhere to American
Camping Association standards for safety and quality. Fees
from the programs
are used to cover costs, provide service scholarships for students,
and contribute to the Nature & Science Endowment fund, which
enhances our children’s educational and recreational programs
with materials and special guests.
 Among the unique facilities we maintain are swimming pools, high
and low ropes courses, an outdoor bouldering wall, an archery range,
farm animals, rustic forest shelters, woodworking and pioneer cabins,
facilities for Native American studies, a system of exploratory
woodland trails, and various gardens used agriculturally and educationally.
High Meadows also serves as a base camp for various excursions
to
historical and recreational areas that enhance our program. Since
1973, High Meadows has set standards for environmental education
and enrichment in the metro Atlanta area.
Throughout the school year, the Outdoor Education Program offers
optional events and activities to supplement our students’ classroom
experiences. Among the programs offered, we have:
½
Day Camps – On days when we have a ½ day of classes,
students may participate in an afternoon of camp activities and fun
in the outdoors. Archery, soccer, woodworking, arts & crafts,
snacks, games, and a campfire are some of the possibilities during
these ½ days of fun. For older children (4th – 8th grade)
we offer off-campus trips. In the past, we have gone to the Mall
of Georgia Imax, Kennesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum,
SciTrek, and bowling. All activities are chaperoned and led by OEP
staff and parents.
Adventure Trips – 4th – 8th graders
may participate in off-campus trips many weekends during the school
year. High Meadows
staff members accompany small groups of adventurers to exciting
destinations that offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. We
have taken trips
mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, backpacking,
and rafting. All ability levels are welcome, and in addition to
the activities,
participants gain experience in outdoor living skills and tent
camping. Service scholarships are available to give students the
opportunity
to partially fund their own trip.
After-School Classes – In order to expose
our students to a variety of outdoor experiences and help them
develop skills complementing
their academic program, we offer weekly classes covering a diversity
of skills and interests appealing to all age levels. Yearly offerings
may include archery, soccer, arts & crafts, outdoor living
skills, outdoor cooking, ropes course and bouldering, canoeing,
animal care,
babysitting certification, preschool playtime, Native American
studies, and gardening. Many parents and other qualified adults
share their
talents by leading these interesting and popular courses. We also
sponsor a monthly skating party that promotes socialization and
community.
Family Campfires and Overnights are offered each
season and give our community the opportunity to experience the
magic of the meadows
at night. Most evenings include a night hike through our forest,
awakening senses and introducing participants to the drama and
vibrancy of the nocturnal world. Under the brightness of a full
moon or the
shimmering stars of a new moon, a blazing campfire on the high
meadow tops off the evening. With s’mores and congenial fellowship
around the flames, participants get a complete sense of our outdoor
philosophy. Overnights serve as a safe, relaxed way to introduce
family members, especially young ones, to the joys of outdoor tent
camping. Participants are welcome to pitch their tents on the meadow
or to sleep in the open air “castles”. The warmth of
a campfire ends the evening until the sun comes up and the roosters
crow. Morning brings a hearty campfire breakfast and the opportunity
to visit our animals by helping with farm chores.
A special annual event that continues to grow in popularity is
the Halloweenie Roast. Geared towards our younger
students, the evening presents an opportunity for not-too-spooky
holiday fun. Dressed in
costumes, participants visit different activities including games,
pumpkin and face painting, spooky snacks, family portraits, hot
dog and marshmallow roasting, and a hike to the magic pumpkin patch.
Halloweenie Roast is becoming a very special and popular High Meadows
tradition and offers yet another opportunity for families to experience
and enjoy the beauty and variety of our campus.
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