A Day in the Life of Students at JTREE Camp
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Joshua Tree Residential Education Experience (JTREE) seeks to establish a residential outdoor education program to complement the park’s existing day-use education programs, and to support the park’s long-term education objectives. The program will provide multi-day education experiences through immersive, inquiry-based programming targeted at a 6th-12th grade audience. Here you can imagine what a day in the life of a student at outdoor education camp might look like in Joshua Tree National Park.
A classroom like no other… Joshua Tree National Park: Students hike through the dramatic desert landscapes, explore the land of Joshua Trees, experience the night sky, and challenge themselves to reach the tops of unique rock formations. Get active, live healthier lives!
Inquiry-based learning gets youth excited about learning science… Students explore the geologic history of the Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert & Sonoran Desert; engage in field research projects, such as how plants and animals have adapted to survive in the desert; and discover how the environment supported inhabitants going back to the Pinto culture.
Inspirations to action empower our youth… Students are empowered to see how their actions impact their community and the world around them through service-learning projects, such as removing invasive species that threaten biodiversity in the Park.
Life at Camp...Our Vision
Envision students at a 5-day outdoor education program in Joshua Tree National Park. The large group is broken down into small groups for the week. Each small group rotates through the planned activities so that each group has the opportunity to do all activities at varying times during the week. | Download pdf JTREE Example 5-Day Program
Expected Learner Outcomes
The JTREE holistic curriculum is one that engages all aspects of the learner, including mind, body, and spirit. The holistic curriculum will also encourage and challenge students to:
- Be environmentally aware and live such in their own lives.
- Be environmental stewards, globally aware of their impact in the world.
- Immerse themselves in nature and take the tools and inspirations to find nature at home.
Examples of Curriculum Topics:
WEATHER, CLIMATE, WATER CYCLE
- Explain the basics of climate change today through drawing (“Act Like Monet”), writing, or speaking.
- Create a drawing or word web of the effects the water cycle & weather patterns have on the ecology around us.
GEOLOGY WITHIN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
- Investigate, determine, and write (draw…”Act Like Monet”) about the geological time periods within the boundaries of JTREE.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
- Become familiar with the Indigenous people who lived in what is now known as Joshua Tree National Park.
- Reflect in journaling the lifestyles and respect of nature Indigenous people had and still have today. Name 3 examples of such.
DESERT PLANTS/DESERT ANIMALS/DESERT INSECTS
- Investigate and determine what desert plants, animals and insects may live within the boundary of JTREE. Draw (“Act Like Monet”) or write about any discoveries.
- Explain and write about any survival techniques used and any interconnectedness nature has for its survival.
Science-based activities are worked into daily hikes. Possible hikes/activities may include:
• Wonderland of Rocks Hike
• Quail Mountain (full day hike)
• Evening activities from animal adaptation to water use mock debates
• Community Service Projects with JTNP
• Journal Writing/Reflection
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A day in the life of students at camp.
Joshua Tree National Park
Teaching Today's Youth Through Nature
I hear and I forget…I see and I remember… I do and I understand.” a CHINESE PROVERB