Creation Learning Center

The Creation Learning Center is Koinonia's environmental education program. We believe that God has called us to be caretakers of this creation. Our lessons teach participants about that creation, and ways we can preserve it and use it wisely. Both schools and retreat groups can use this program. Schools can choose from two options: a Three Day Program or a One Day Field Trip program. Retreat groups can use either option or a modified schedule of one of the options.

Option One: Three Day Program

Participants come for three days and two nights. The Adult Leaders choose one of our four themes and one of our program sites If more than one age group is coming, or your group number is over 20, you may choose a theme and a site for each group. Leaders also choose up to four of our Community Time activities. Cost: $75 per student and $50 per adult.

Option Two: Field Trip

Participants come for a day and either bring a bag lunch or pay for a meal from our kitchen. Leaders choose one or more of the themes, or, choose one or more of the villages. (There usually isn't time to do both). Cost: Up to 30 participants: $150, $6 per each additional person. Lunch from Koinonia's kitchen is $5 per person.

Creation Learning Center Program Choices:

Teachers or group leaders will choose a theme and a village. If bringing more than one grade, you may choose a theme and a village for each grade; see sample schedule for how all this is put together.

Themes:

FOREST ECOLOGY: through investigations, discussions, games, and activities, students will learn about a forest community, the different members of that community, how a tree grows and survives, how people use a forest, and how we can take care of our forests.

WILDLIFE: through investigations, discussions, games and activities, students will learn what wild animals need for survival, how they meet those needs, where they live, the many kinds of wild animals (birds, mammals, insects, etc.), the effect people have had on the animals and their habitats, and how we can take better care of them.

WATER ECOLOGY: through investigations, discussions, games and activities students will learn how important water is to all living things, what lives in the ~~water, how to measure water quality, different types of water (river, pond, lake, etc.) and what would live in each kind, how people have affected our water, and how we can take better care of it.

OUTDOOR SKILLS: students will learn a variety of survival and camping skills: use of a compass, building a fire, building a shelter, how to prepare for a hike or other outdoor trip, and some emergency procedures and survival skills.

Village Choices:

The theme that you choose will also be related to the village that you choose.

LENI LENAPE: Students will learn how our native peoples lived before the settlers came over, both in this area and other areas of our country, how things changed when the settlers did come, and how they live today. We will also learn how Native Americans used the land - forest, wildlife, and water - depending on the theme you choose. The site includes two small wigwams, dugout canoe, and a tarp-covered area. Improvements and additions are also being planned.

HOMESTEAD: Students will learn how pioneers lived about 150 years ago through crafts, demonstrations, and games. The site includes a log cabin, spring house, small blacksmith shop, and smokehouse. We will also learn how pioneers used the landforest, wildlife, and water, depending on the theme you choose.

CHAPEL ROCK : Students will learn about things we can do now to help make the future a better place: caring for the earth, living peacefully with others, using resources wisely, some alternative energy, etc. We will also learn how we can use the landforest, wildlife, and water, depending on the theme you choose. If there is another place you would like to hike to, we can discuss other possibilities when you are making your choices.

On the first day there will be an introduction to theme you have chosen. Then you have several choices: Initiative Games (group-building activities), canoeing (fall and spring) or tubing (winter).

Evening Choices:

One or two per evening.

FROSTY FROG: Our ice cream parlor with a special twist that has to do with a famous frog who lived here.

HAYRIDE: Take a ride through camp in our haywagon, pulled by a truck. Sing songs, tell stories, look at the night sky, and have fun!

NIGHT WALK: Take a walk in the woods without a flashlight to learn how your eyes work in the dark and what happens in the woods at night. Several night games are also played and, if the group is quiet enough, night animals may be seen. Unfortunately, this evening activity does not work well in late Spring because it doesn't get dark enough until 9 or 10 p.m.

CAMPFIRE: Songs and stories (non-scary ones) around the fire.

INITIATIVE GAMES: Many of these can be done indoors or outdoors, so you may also choose to do them one evening.

DELAWARE VALLEY RAPTOR CENTER: A person from this nearby facility comes to camp with 5 live birds and teaches us about birds of prey and predators in general. Instructor fee required.

MOCK TOWN MEETING: Students will be divided into several "interest groups". A "guest speaker" (staff person) will present a proposed development for part of Koinonia's land. The students will discuss the proposal in their interest groups and decide if they accept or reject the proposal.