Natural Resource Educational Class Descriptions

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Each of these one-hour classes are hands-on, correlate with the Virginia Standards of Learning, and give students the chance to experience Natural Resources in Appomattox Buckingham State Forest. For more information about each class, please see descriptions below.



Aquatic Ecology

Aquatic Ecology

Why are aquatic ecosystems important? What can they tell us about the health of our environment? This course provides students the opportunity to investigate an aquatic ecosystem, collect macroinvertebrates, and determine the health of Holliday Lake and the surrounding creeks.

SOL’s
Science SOL’s: 1.5, 1.8(a), 2.4(a), 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6(a,c), 3.8(b), 3.10(a,b), 4.5(a,d,e,f), 4.8(a,b), 6.1(a), 6.7(a), LS. 4(c), LS. 5(c), LS. 9 (a,b), LS. 11, LS. 12(d,e)

Canoeing

Canoeing

A forest is a lot more than just trees! Find out how forests are impacting your life every day, as well as some common ways to age trees and identify them.

SOL’s
Science SOL’s: 1.4, 1.8(a), 2.4(b), 3.4, 3.8(b), 4.4, 4.8(b,d), 6.1(a), LS. 4(a), LS. 5(c)

Entomology

Entomology

Students will learn the characteristics of insects, and how they influence our lives. Students will even be able to venture out and search for some!

SOL’s
1.1(a,b,c), 1.5(b), 1.7(b), 3.4, 3.5(b,c), 3.6, 3.8, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8(b), 5.1, 5.2(c), 5.5(b,d), 6.1(a,b), LS. 4, LS. 5, LS. 9, LS. 10(c), LS. 11, LS. 12

Field Initiatives

Field Initiatives

Used to introduce the concept of teamwork and affirm the value of each individual to that group. Through activities, students are encouraged to cooperate with one another to problem solve.

SOL's
PE SOLs: 3.4, 4.4, 5.5, 6.4, 7.4, 8.5, 9.4, 10.4
English SOLs: 3.1, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2
Physics SOLs: 5, 6, PS.6, PS.1, PS.10
Physical Science SOLs: 1.6, 10
Oral Language SOLs: 3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1

Forest Ecology

Forest Ecology

A forest is a lot more than just trees! Find out how forests are impacting your life every day, as well as some common ways to age trees and identify them.

SOL’s
Science SOL’s: 1.4, 1.8(a), 2.4(b), 3.4, 3.8(b), 4.4, 4.8(b,d), 6.1(a), LS. 4(a), LS. 5(c)

Geology

Geology

We will learn about the differences between rocks and minerals. Students will be able to use a testing kit to determine what mineral they have.

SOL’s
3.1(a,b,g,j,k), 3.3, 4.1(a,d), 4.8(c), 5.1(A,c), 6.9(b), ES. 5, ES. 6, ES. 7(a), ES. 8

Herpetology

Herpetology

How are snakes and frogs different? Explore some common misconceptions about these creatures and discover some amazing facts. Students will even be able to interact with some live animals!

SOL’s
K.19(e), 1.5(b), 1.7(b), 3.1(b), 3.4, 3.5(b,c), 3.6, 3.8(b), 4.5, 4.8(b), 5.5(b,d), 6.1(a,b), LS. 4(b), LS.5 (c)

High Challenge Course

High Challenge Course

Problem solving 25-30 ft in the air, students will experience personal growth by pushing their comfort zones.

SOL’s
PE SOLs: 3.4, 4.4, 5.5, 6.4, 7.4, 8.5, 9.4, 10.4
English SOLs: 3.1, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2
Physics SOLs: 5, 6, PS.6, PS.1, PS.10
Physical Science SOLs: 1.6, 10
Oral Language SOLs: 3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1

Low Challenge Course

Low Challenge Course

Our low challenge courses uses both field initiatives and low elements to dive deeper into team dynamics and teambuilding.

SOL’s
PE SOLs: 3.4, 4.4, 5.5, 6.4, 7.4, 8.5, 9.4, 10.4
English SOLs: 3.1, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2
Physics SOLs: 5, 6, PS.6, PS.1, PS.10
Physical Science SOLs: 1.6, 10
Oral Language SOLs: 3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1

Mammalogy

Mammalogy

Learn about the characteristics of mammals that put them in a class of their own. In this class, students get to identify Virginia mammals based on their fur and skulls.

SOL’s
1.1(a,c), 1.5(b,c), 1.7(b), 2.1(a,c), 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8(b), 5.1(a), 5.5(b,d), 6.1(a,b), LS. 4, LS. 5, LS. 9 , LS. 10(c), LS. 11, LS. 12

Meteorology

Meteorology

Weather constantly changes and affects our lives. Learn about some tools meteorologists use to predict the weather, and learn to identify different types of clouds.

SOL’s
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.9(a,b), 4.1, 4.6, 5.1, 6.1, 6.3(d,e), 6.6, LS. 1, ES. 14

Native American Studies

Native American Studies

Students will experience a class in the life of a Native American. How did their life differ from ours today? Join us in hands on activities to discover how the Native Americans lived.

SOL’s
1.6, 2.2, 2.3, VS. 2(d,e), VUS. 1(g)

Night Hike

Night Hike

Students will explore Holiday Lake and its trails at night. This fun, interactive class allows students the chance to see what wildlife might be out at night, as well as a few other fun surprises.

SOL’s
Science SOLs: 3.1(a,b,j), 4.1(a)
Family Life SOLs: 3.1

Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals

We will learn about different animals that come out at night in the forests of Virginia. Through night activities, students will learn how senses other than sight play a role in survival for these nocturnal creatures.

SOL’s
3.4, 3.5, 4.5(a-d), 4.8(b,d), 5.2(a,c), LS. 9, LS. 10, LS. 12

Orienteering

Orienteering

Learn how to use a compass in this interactive class! Find your pace and learn how to read a map.

SOL’s
ES.1, ES.3

Ornithology (Study of Birds)

Ornithology (Study of Birds)

What challenges do birds face when migrating? We will participate in fun activities that demonstrate bird behavior, adaptations, and the effect humans have on bird migration.

SOL’s
Science SOL’s: 1.5, 1.8(a), 2.4(a), 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6(a,c), 3.8(b), 3.10(a,b), 4.5(a,d,e,f), 4.8(a,b), 6.1(a), 6.7(a), LS. 4(c), LS. 5(c), LS. 9 (a,b), LS. 11, LS. 12(d,e)

Owl Pellet Dissection

Owl Pellet Dissection

What is an owl pellet? Where does it come from? Students will be able to dissect an owl pellet to find bones and determine what the owl ate.

SOL’s
3.5(c), 4.1(b), 5.5(b)

Pioneer Life

Pioneer Life

Students will experience a class in the life of a pioneer. How did the pioneer’s life differ from ours today? Join us in some hands on activities like candle making to understand how they had to live.

SOL’s
1.6, 2.3, VUS. 1(g)

Sensory Awareness

Sensory Awareness

We see differently at night than we do during the day. Through night activities, students will learn how their senses change during the darker times of the day.

SOL’s
Science SOLs: 3.1(a,b,j), 4.1(a)
Family Life SOLs: 3.1, 5.8

Soil Studies

Soil Studies

Why are soils so important? We will find out just how important soils are in shaping our world. Students will also be able to use a soil auger to look at different types.

SOL’s
1.1(a,b,c), 3.3, 3.6(a,b), 3.7, 3.10(b,d), 4.8(a), 5.7(c,e,f), 6.5(e-g), 6.7, 6.9(a), LS. 4(a), PS. 2, ES. 2, ES. 3, ES. 4

Water Chemistry

Water Chemistry

The world revolves around water. We’ll use testing equipment to investigate what is in our water and how it impacts the entire world.

SOL’s
3.1, 3.6(a), 3.9, 3.10(b,d), 4.1, 4.8(a,d), 5.3(b), 6.1, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS. 1, LS. 10(b), PS. 1, PS. 2

Wildlife Ecology

Wildlife Ecology

Have you ever seen the interaction between predator and prey or possibly notice any adaptations that they obtain to survive? Let’s experience how animals fight for their survival.

SOL’s
Science SOLs: 3.1(b), 3.4, 3.5, 3.6(c), 3.10(a), 4.1(a), 4.5, 4.8(b), 5.1(h), 6.9(a), LS. 4, LS.6(c), LS. 7(d), LS.9

Wilderness Survival

Wilderness Survival

What would you do if you were lost in the woods? How can you be prepared? What are the basic needs for survival? This class allows students to practice these things, including building their own shelter.

SOL’s
Science SOLs: 3.4(a), 3.9(c), LS. 4(b)
Physical Education SOLs: 1.5(a,b), 1.6, 2.4, 3.4(a,c), 4.4(a,b,c), 5.5(a,b), 6.4(b,c), 7.4(a,b,c), 9.4(b,c), 10.4(b,c,e)
Health SOLs: K.3(a,b,c), 1.4(a,b,c), 1.6(a,b), 5.1(a,c), 6.7(a-e)

Our Mission

Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center's mission is to improve the quality of life through educating youth and adults in a natural setting.

Contact Us

Address:
1267 4-H Camp Road
Appomattox, VA 24522

Phone:
(434) 248-5444