The future of the river is in the hands of its youth. We believe it is important to get every child outside, and get them in, on, or near some water. We have developed fun and informative curricula that meets learning standards while engaging students in active, project-based learning.
School Programs: Friends works with several school systems and multiple grade levels to offer classroom sessions or full-day experiences tailored to specific class needs. Our workbook for middle school students, Stanley Stands Up for the North Fork is being utilized and adapted throughout the Shenandoah basin.
Summer Camps: Friends teams up with local teachers and the Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation Department to offer week-long, half-day summer camps for various grade levels.
Teacher Trainings and Resources: The Shenandoah Valley, with its history, natural heritage, and amazing local resources provides an inspiring setting for place-based learning. Research has shown that students recognize the value of learning when it is linked to their lives and those of their families. In this sense, learning about the “local” is a powerful form of pedagogy. Friends gives teachers some of the tools they need to tailor their curriculum to their local resources. Our Stanley Stands Up workbook is one example, but in addition, Friends has offered our North Fork to the Bay Teacher Training in 2013 and 2014. The courses have been a huge success and we plan to offer the sessions again in 2015.