OAKHURST – Do you remember the first time you ever stepped into the forest and squinted up through tall trees into golden sierra sunlight? That’s the kind of memory that many kids will take away from the planned 6th grade outdoor science camp field trip for students in the Bass Lake School District, and organizers are seeking the community’s help to make it happen.
“Be a champ, and send a kid to science camp!” That’s the motto of the Bass Lake Education Foundation (BLEF) in the nonprofit organization’s on-going campaign. BLEF wants to encourage residents to contribute whatever they can afford, in order to make the four-day, three-night field science trip possible for every single sixth grade student in the District. Surprisingly, some kids in the foothills have never been to the higher elevations, and for many, it will be their first camp experience, as they head up Highway 41 to the Green Meadows Outdoor School.
The cost is $181 per child. Organizers are determined that no child will be excluded due to an inability to pay, and contributions are tax deductible. The kids with teachers and chaperones are heading up to Green Meadows starting Tuesday, Mar. 8 through Friday, Mar. 11. Over the past four years, BLEF has helped to sponsor the academic field trip, and the organization has provided full or partial scholarships to dozens of low income mountain area kids in the process.
“In partnership with Bass Lake Unified School District, we are committed to sending all 6th graders to camp,” says Kriszti Mendonca, founder and director of the nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of educational opportunities for local kids.
“This phenomenal trip to Green Meadows Outdoor School in Fish Camp is a dream field trip for these sixth graders. It’s four days and three nights of field science, sleeping in cabins, learning outdoor survival skills and fostering a sense of community with their teachers and peers. Each year we provide full or partial scholarships for approximately thirty percent of the students who participate. Your donation in any amount is fully tax deductible. ”
The now-annual trip, for grade 6 students at Wasuma Elementary and Oak Creek Intermediate, is a collaboration of the District schools, helpful parents, dedicated teachers and supportive community organizations, including BLEF.
