{"id":638,"date":"2012-08-13T09:44:08","date_gmt":"2012-08-13T13:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/blogs\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=638"},"modified":"2012-08-13T09:44:08","modified_gmt":"2012-08-13T13:44:08","slug":"wild-about-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wild-about-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild About School"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Just like that, we\u2019re officially in back-to-school season. And while for many, that means heading to the store to pick up notebooks, pencils, and pens, here we\u2019re gathering our nets, binoculars, and field guides.<\/p>\n

Every year, our wildlife sanctuaries around the state work with local schools to get kids out of the classroom and into the fields to learn and explore nature.<\/p>\n

Just imagine: one day, you\u2019re learning about dragonflies in a classroom, and the next you\u2019re out in the meadows examining one up close. Not only does this interaction help the material sink in, but gives kids the confidence and knowledge they need to embrace rather than fear nature.<\/p>\n

We can\u2019t tell you how many times a we\u2019ve been told of a child who was petrified of snakes until they met one and learned about all of their fascinating traits. The best part: this learning is contagious. Kids bring home their newfound knowledge and share it with their parents, who then may take a closer look at that hawk flying overhead or frog croaking in the water next time their outside.<\/p>\n

To make the experience even more fulfilling our educators have developed programs that align with the Massachusetts Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks, and for many of our sites, the classes are customizable based on what a teacher is looking to accomplish.<\/p>\n

While we\u2019ve been offering these programs for decades, this year, we\u2019ve launched an Online School Program Catalog<\/a> to make it even easier for parents and teachers to find out what classes are available and which curriculum frameworks they meet.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a teacher, check it out and let us know what you think. Parents: Tell your teachers! Have questions? Ask in the comments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just like that, we\u2019re officially in back-to-school season. And while for many, that means heading to the store to pick up notebooks, pencils, and pens, here we\u2019re gathering our nets, binoculars, and field guides. Every year, our wildlife sanctuaries around the state work with local schools to get kids out of the classroom and into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,15],"tags":[61,89,101],"class_list":["post-638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ecokids","category-wildlife-sanctuaries","tag-kids","tag-school","tag-teachers"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-ai","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7213,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/celebrating-100-years-of-wildlife-sanctuaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":0},"title":"Celebrating 100 Years of Wildlife Sanctuaries","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"When Mass Audubon was first founded in 1896, its original purpose was to discourage the buying and wearing of feathers of any wild birds. It quickly became not only the leading force in the protection of birds but also the predominant resource for educating the public about birds. This was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/TrailsideDiscoveryDayKentHarnois.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/TrailsideDiscoveryDayKentHarnois.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/TrailsideDiscoveryDayKentHarnois.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5287,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/lend-a-helping-hand\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":1},"title":"Lend a Helping Hand","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"April 21, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Enjoy the arrival of spring by participating in Mass Audubon\u2019s Work for Wildlife Statewide Volunteer Day on Saturday, April 25. Join with other volunteers, family, and friends at 16 wildlife sanctuaries across the state from 9 am to noon. We have a variety of projects for people of all ages\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.massaudubon.org\/var\/ezdemo_site\/storage\/images\/media\/ma-assets\/images\/ads-and-promos\/2015-svd-ad\/212576-2-eng-US\/2015-svd-ad_medium_landscape.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7953,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/7-ways-to-zip-to-mass-audubon-wildlife-sanctuaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":2},"title":"7 Ways to Zip to Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"July 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you heard? We\u2019ve teamed up with Zipcar to make it easier to get to our wildlife sanctuaries! Here\u2019s the deal: Now through the end of the year, Mass Audubon members can join Zipcar at half price, and Zipcar members can join Mass Audubon at a special rate, too! The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/07\/Arcadia_PhilDoyle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/07\/Arcadia_PhilDoyle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/07\/Arcadia_PhilDoyle.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14183,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-national-trails-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: National Trails Day","author":"Ryan D.","date":"June 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June, is a day to recognizes all the incredible benefits that hiking and walking trails provide for recreation and quality time spent in nature.\u00a0It's also an opportunity to thank the many volunteers, land agencies, trail developers, park employees, and property manages who build,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Walking the trails at Wellfleet Bay \u00a9 Amanda Simon","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/1187AmandaSimon4130.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/1187AmandaSimon4130.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/1187AmandaSimon4130.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/1187AmandaSimon4130.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11800,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/learning-stems-from-nature\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":4},"title":"Learning STEMS from Nature","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"October 24, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Children have wonderful imaginations and an innate desire to explore the world around them through direct experience, and the natural world provides endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, questioning and investigation. Spending time outdoors is often thought of as recreation but so much learning in the STEM fields (science, technology,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7896,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/summers-are-free-for-military-families-at-wildlife-sanctuaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":638,"position":5},"title":"Summers are Free for Military Families at Wildlife Sanctuaries","author":"Hillary T.","date":"July 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon is proud to offer free admission to active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families from Memorial Day to Labor Day through the Blue Star Museums program. All Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries from the Berkshires to the Cape welcome our country\u2019s service men and women to explore nature and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wildlife Sanctuaries"","block_context":{"text":"Wildlife Sanctuaries","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/wildlife-sanctuaries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/07\/2015-bsm-logo-large.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/638\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}