by Angela Schaecher That is the question that seems to be going around since Sunday! Good news; there is an answer! The Christ Lutheran Church Nature Explore (TM) Classroom Committee has a dream. It's a dream they want the whole community and visitors of O'Neill to be a part of. They are in the process of installing an outdoor classroom on an empty lot owned by the church. Their hope is that kids of all ages, from 1 to 99+, will be able to relax, and enjoy nature and learn how amazing God's creation is. Once work is completed at the site, their desire is to have the classroom certified as an official Nature Explore (TM) Classroom by the Arbor Day Foundation�. The Dimensions� Educational Research Foundation has a set of guidlelines to follow to ensure that many basic areas of learning are incorporated into each classroom. The areas that are in the plans for here in O'Neill are an entry feature, an open area for large activities, a climbing area, a messy materials area, a building area, a nature art area, a music and movement area, a garden, a gathering area, a storage area, a sand and water area, a dirt-digging area, and an area(s) for a swing(s). The committee was able to install a fence Sunday with much appreciated, generous help from volunteers, an O'Neill Community Foundation grant, Ag Services and Central Valley Ag. You, the community of O'Neill, are officially invited to watch the progress and enjoy the end result, connecting with nature in the process! Any questions about the project should be directed to Angie Schaecher at (402)336-1622. (0) COMMENTSWelcome to the discussion. |