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ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Why should kids have all the fun at summer camp? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering teachers a summer camp experience of their own, along with a chance to get acquainted with MDC’s Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program.
MDC will offer Teachers Discover Nature: A Hands-On Workshop with the Experts July 9-13. During this summer day camp for teachers, participants will learn how biologists study fish, forests and wildlife. The workshop will immerse them in nature and real-life conservation with conservation educators and resource biologists at five sites in the St. Louis region.
Hands-on activities will include collecting and measuring fish, tracking wildlife, sampling and identifying insects, bird banding, assessing trees to improve forest health, and more. Teachers will also learn about outdoor skills such as archery, shooting sports, fishing and canoeing.
During the workshop, educators will get certified in one of MDC’s free DNS instructional units, which come with funding for classroom materials and field experiences. DNS is a win-win opportunity for both educators and students, providing high quality science units designed to meet the needs of teachers while preparing Missouri's students to become life-long conservationists through hands-on experiences in nature.
Participants will meet at various St. Louis-area locations, starting the first day with Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood. On the last day of the workshop, teachers will take an eye-opening canoe trip on the Meramec River.
The workshop is free; however, class size is limited to 25 and advanced registration is required by July 1. To register for the workshop, visit the MDC Teacher Portal at https://goo.gl/eXrhyD. The workshop is certified by the Missouri's Environmental Educational Association.
In addition, participants have the option of earning three graduate credit hours from Lindenwood University. Tuition fee for college credit is $225.00.
For questions about the workshop or more information about MDC’s DNS program, contact Sam Faith at Sam.Faith@mdc.mo.gov, or 636-451-3512, ext. 7603, or visit https://mdc.mo.gov/education.
