WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING

The principal staff of the Watershed Learning Center are educators and childrens’ program professionals with many years of experience. That experience includes directing Free Spirit Nature Camp through eight successful years, and working in public schools and with Youth Service organizations throughout the Hudson Valley. In 2006, we received the "Environmental Education Award" from Orange Environment for our summer camp program. info

The Watershed Learning Center project is a natural growth of our work with children. We believe that kids learn better outdoors, both literally and figuratively. We strive to infuse our understanding of ecology and appreciation for the natural world into all of our activities

What we're up to now (WINTER 2009)

We are offering a weekly class in Nature Awareness and Journaling for Homeschooled Students ages 5 - 8, beginning January 22nd. We are also opening our program to part time attendees ages 4 - 12.

The Watershed Learning Center is open for its second school year. We have a small Kindergarten class which has been meeting at the center in Circleville. We will again feature nature study and outdoor activity right through winter. We are supported by enthusiastic families who desire an individualized, nature-based program for their children.

We recently went on field trips to the Bronx Zoo and Apple Picking at Lawrence Farms. We also visited the replica of the Half Moon sailing ship at the Newburgh Waterfront. We are looking forward to our trip to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan coming up soon.

The Watershed Learning Center is a consultant to the Orange County Water Authority, supervising the Authority's water education program and creating maps and other curricular materials with county educators, and giving presentations at area schools about water conservation and protection.

Ed Helbig, MAT History, BFA Music, NYSED Permanent Certification

Principal Teacher

By June of 2007, Ed had taught for 10 years in the public school system. He strongly believes our kids deserve something more.

" We are undertaking an experiment- to create a learning experience in a really relevent environment, where there is room for a kid's natural enthusiasm. I've seen what public school forces our kids to do. I want to try something different- using nature awareness and student-driven learning.

"I am bringing all the training, experience, and, I hope, wisdom I've accumulated to the creation of a real alternative. I want to take our students into the field, on hikes and trips, to illuminate the ideas we read and discuss in class, to actively pursue the investigation of student's ideas by exploration in the real world. I never again want to confine learning to flourescent-lighted prison- I want to take my students exploring into the real. I believe the Watershed Learning Center can be such a place."

Ed has been having a most fulfilling year teaching our kindergarten and consulting on water education with the Orange County Water Authority. Last year he coordinated the 2008 Orange County Earth & Water Festival, supervised publication of The Atlas of the Moodna Creek Watershed, for which he completed the digital cartography, and began the revision of the OCWA water education curriculum.

In 2009, Ed hopes to expand OCWA's water education program, and help repeat last year's success with the 2009 Orange County Earth & Water Festival, to be held on June 6 in Thomas Bull County Park. That, plus sight words, counting, clocks and calendars, fills his days.

Kate Fox, BA English, Lic. Childcare Director

Kate has eighteen years experience managing programs for children. Kate has directed summer camp and afterschool programs for the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, and other Youth Service organizations. In her work with children she shares her understanding of ecology, and respect for nature through unique, creative activities that emphasize cooperation and healthy physical and emotional development. She is currently working towards her MA in Environmental Conservation Education at NYU, and consulting for Watershed Learning Center. She is an appointed member of the municipal Conservation Commission in her local community.

" The most enthusiastic learning happens in small multi-age groups who are engaged in outdoor and cooperative activities."

"I enjoy creating learning situations for our students which are engaging and represent true learning. Because we know our students very well, we challenge and nurture them ways that are unique to each."

"Ecology is a consistent foundation for interdisciplinary studies. We learn much from the science of Ecology and apply what we learn to our world at hand."

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Geraldine McNally B.S. Inclusive Education, MS Literacy

Zina Mazzone,

Teaching & Administrative Assistant

"I received my New York State Teaching Assistant certification in 2001 and worked in the public school system for several years. I quickly became discouraged by the generic programs that locked children into only one way of learning and began looking for alternative ways to educate my own son.

"I am delighted to have been asked to become part of the Watershed family. This is a multiage learning community where children not just learn together but learn from each other. In this setting, children will not be confined to a curriculum designed around standardized testing but one based on the child as an individual. By allowing children to explore and experiment with guidance and not be grounded by the limitations of a traditional classroom we can enrich their minds and their spirits.

"My own son will be attending Watershed. I am confident that this is the environment that will provide him the best education, allowing him to learn and grow without strict boundaries, to reach his fullest potential now and in the future."

Harry Ross, MA, Professor at Ramapo College of NJ

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