May/June 2010 E-Newsletter

In the last three months, Elachee has:
  • Taught 12,024 students in 217 programs from 104 schools from Hall, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Forsyth, Fulton, Barrow, Cobb, DeKalb, Habersham, Jackson and Walton counties including students in our monthly home school program series;

  • Initiated two new programs/events: a 10-week Master Naturalist Class for adults, and Hall County’s first eco-adventure race, "Trillium Trek", attracting families and participants from around the state;

  • Co-sponsored an Earth Day Forum with a cross section of other community groups and an Earth Day Family Festival at Elachee;

  • Raised a record-breaking $11,000 in our annual spring fundraiser, Flights of Fancy;

  • Hosted two school groups for overnight programs at our Mountain Education Center in Rabun County;

  • Completed Phase I mitigation bank testing in Walnut Creek which documents major stream improvements resulting from restoration work;

  • Utilized over 200 volunteers to build and maintain hiking trails and clean up around Chicopee Lake;

  • Conducted endangered and threatened plant species monitoring in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve;

  • Provided family and visitor activities including Naturalist Hikes on First Saturdays, two Backyard Conservation Workshops to teach composting and rain garden utilization, a stargazing and telescope class, a Camp Elachee Preview, and field trips in Chicopee Woods with the Georgia Botanical Society.

  • Hosted facility rentals or meeting space for three weddings, a shower, the Newcomer’s Club and Chicopee Woods Elementary School;

  • Volunteer and staff leadership collaborated in meetings of Elachee’s Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, and Executive Committee and the Chicopee Woods Area Park Commission;

  • Participated in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) of the American Association of Museums by undergoing a three-day consultation to review our Preserve management activities;

  • Collaborated with Quinlan Art Gallery on the “Birds Nest Invitational” exhibition and participated in the Friends of the Parks Butterfly Release event;

  • Hosted lead donors to our Annual Education Fund at a Donor Appreciation Brunch; and

  • Trained camp counselors, planned, and kicked off our first week of an 11-week season of Camp Elachee 2010.
We think you will agree that this is work we can all be proud of! We are grateful for your continued friendship and support.
Elachee Happenings

Camp Elachee 2010

Now through August 6th. Elementary and Middle School Camps, 9am - 2pm; Pre-K Camps 9am - 12pm. Each week of summer camp blends traditional outdoor camp activities & inquiry-based learning. The pace is slow and child-friendly. Campers study nature while walking trails, wading in creeks, creating crafts, & singing songs.

We pride ourselves in attracting and selecting experienced, enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable camp staff who enjoy and respect children. Our counselors have degrees or are pursuing degrees in science, education or related fields. Excellent staff to camper ratios are the rule. Pre-K ratios are 1:5; elementary and middle school ratios are 1:12.

You can see the fun themes and activities that are planned by looking at our Camp Elachee 2010 brochure. Register soon online, by phone or mail, as some camps fill quickly! Camp slots are on a space available, first-come basis.

For other happenings at Elachee throughout the summer months, please visit our website www.elachee.org.

 

Save the Dates!

Elachee's Annual "Snake Day". Saturday, September 11th, 10am - 2pm. See a wide variety of live native and exotic snakes and reptiles at our most popular public program! Dispel your myths and fears about reptiles and learn why they are important to our world from our expert exhibitors. Children can also enjoy crafts and learning activities. Sponsored by Tipton Construction Company. Adults, $5, Children 2-12, $3, Members free.

Elachee's Annual "Safari" Benefit Dinner and Auction. Saturday, October 2nd, 6pm - 10pm. Enjoy a casual evening of cocktails, dinner, jazz music, and live and silent auctions featuring unique artwork, trips, entertainment activities, and items from local merchants. Proceeds benefit Elachee's environmental education programs.

Elachee's Family Fall Festival. Saturday, October 30th, 2pm - 5pm. See a live animal program, play games, make crafts and have fun at this new Elachee event. Enjoy hikes, costumed animal characters, face painting and much more. Members, $3; non-members, $5.

 

Elachee Nature Science Center's mission is to promote environmental understanding through education and conservation.
Elachee Nature Science Center in the Chicopee Woods.