Programs : Camp Christopher : Environmental Education

CYO Camp Christopher offers three exciting, educational programs designed specifically for schools. From day trips to overnight programs, our goal is to assist schools with outdoor education and interactive experiences.

Environmental Education
Open to students in grades 5–6, Environmental Education is interdisciplinary in nature and correlates with the Diocesan Graded Course of Study. The program uses discovery and hands-on learning techniques that challenge students and fosters a sense of stewardship for the environment. Students engage in community living, making choices, taking responsibility and building independence along with “book learning” from the classroom.

• Students can experience the challenge course, geological study, habitat investigation, history of Ohio and the wonders of nature.
• Teachers assist the trained camp staff in providing a safe, educational experience.
• Operates during the school year with dates available in the fall and spring
• Programs available: 2-day/1-night or 2 ½ day/2-night
• All food and lodging are provided during the program along with classes and recreational activities led by the camp staff.
• Principals, priests and other school personnel are invited to join the students for Mass, meals or activities.
• Please note: Schools must provide supervision, “volunteer counselors,” equal to 1 adult for every 8 campers. The volunteer counselors will live with the children and will be responsible for supervision while the students are not engaged in camp activities.

Camp ADAPT – award winning program!
Camp ADAPT is an innovative program that brings together two 8th grade classes from diverse Diocesan grade schools, typically one inner city school and one suburban school. The 8th graders spend nearly 24-hours learning about culture, economics, social status and other areas, as they live and work together as a community at Camp. The staff uses a combination of games, role-playing, speakers, tasks and the Ropes Challenge Courses to help the students learn about each other. Camp ADAPT was honored in 2005 with the Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence by the American Camp Association.

Camp Christopher is a short trip from Cleveland or Akron, and is owned by the Diocese of Cleveland and operated by CYO and Community Services. Camp offers 165-acres of beautiful grounds including four lakes, streams, ponds, cliffs and rock formations and thousands of trees for nature study. It also offers trails for hiking, a cave, natural bridge, rustic cabins with separate shower houses for males and females, a dining hall, high and low ropes challenge courses, recreational facilities and pavilions.

We welcome the opportunity to serve your class or school for an outdoor learning experience in nature.

For more information, contact John Litten.

CYO Camp Christopher
800.CYO.CAMP
330.376.CAMP (2267)

Touch the Earth
Open to students in grades K–12, Touch the Earth is a program that is arranged with the classroom teacher and customized to meet the needs of the class. Camp offers 11 different program topics and welcomes the opportunity to develop new programs to coincide with classroom material. Students learn about habitats, geology, weather, the environment and much more!

• Operates year-round giving teachers the opportunity to explore the four seasons of nature at Camp.
• Choose from 1-day to 5-day programs. Overnight accommodations and food service options are available and must be arranged through the Camp Christopher office prior to your visit.
• For Grades K–12. Open to all schools!
• Please note: Schools must provide supervision, “volunteer counselors”, equal to 1 adult for every 8 campers. The volunteer counselors will be responsible for supervision while the students are not engaged in camp activities.

Touch the Earth Program Topics

Challenge Course
A single or double period class in which students are presented a series of challenges, with and with out equipment, which require group cooperation and problem solving to complete. Activities are determined by the camp staff.

Cemetery Study
The cemetery is a ¼ mile walk from camp. Students will use discovery to learn more about the history of the area and have the opportunity to take grave rubbings for aesthetic appreciation.

Down by the Old Camp Stream
Students will…measure a 15 ft distance and the time it takes for an object to float downstream within the distance...measure the average width and depth of the stream within the distance…use measurements to determine the number of cubic feet of water flowing per second...complete calculations to determine how many people could live off the stream in one day.

Going Underground
Students will...learn about caves, how they are formed, and the special ecosystem that exist within them....discuss how limestone caves are formed through weak acid...explore a glacially formed cave and talk about the inhabitants of caves...visit a natural bridge to become aware of the forces of nature...learn about the 3 rock types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, through hands on experience and discussion.

Habitat Happenings
Students will...study ecosystems and what effect nature and man has on them...act out lifecycles of animals and what effect natural resources have on these cycles...recognize and associate what effect man has made within ecosystems and how animals have adapted...observe some effects of adaptations though role-playing.

Measuring Heights
Using different methods, students will...be able to calculate the height of an object...learn how to calculate the length of their pace...use various tools: sun shadows, yardsticks, body heights, and paces to help them estimate the height of objects.

Sensational Discoveries
Students will...participate in activities that take away their sense of sight to help heighten the use of other senses...have the opportunity to smell and taste a variety of flavors and guess what the item may be...become aware of the largest organ on their body through tactile stimulation...use their ears, will find out what really is around them.

Treemendous Trees
Students will...become more aware of the value and the life of trees...actively demonstrate the internal functions of a tree including photosynthesis...help each other to investigate and explore the differences and similarities of trees by being blindfolded...listen to and discuss the messages found in Dr. Suess’s The Lorax.

Through the Looking Glass
Activities encourage students to...take a closer look ecosystems that are easily overlooked...find out what life exist under rocks, logs and under the rotting vegetation of the earth...observe and identify animals and become aware of the important role they play...use their imagination to create a place for the creatures they discovered to recreate.

Water, Water Everywhere
Students will...observe and study the ecosystems of a pond or stream…take a closer look at the pond/stream life by taking samples of the animals within the pond/stream...use the animals to perform a biotic index to find out how healthy the pond or streams are, and make predictions.

Which Way Do We Go
Students will learn the parts of a compass and how to use it properly. Then students will follow a simple orienteering course.