1. Have pupils list as many different ways that they can 'care for' or 'show concern for' the environment. Write these on a chart and see if individuals can start doing things that will help protect and improve the world, country or local environment.
See if the class can suggest a whole group project that they could work on which would demonstrate their care and concern. Everybody is capable of doing some small thing that can help. Eventually we are aiming at changing our thinking about the environment.
2. Discuss CAMP RULES - see Student Resources and Worksheet.
3. Have pupils devise their own Environmental Behaviour and/or Camping code
4. Discuss with pupils what is meant by the environment. Ensure that they understand that we are talking about both the natural and built environments. Discuss what is meant by Environmental Education ie. Learning about the environment and ways in which we can use, enjoy and care for that environment. Study a local environmental issue. Use these headings:
- What is the problem?
- Causes of the problem.
- Who can help find solutions?
- What might be done?
- How will it affect the environment?
5. The main forest in the Environmental Education Centre area is Dry Forest. Pupils might make up their own worksheet listing the types of things they can find out about the Dry Forest. This information can be use for comparison with a Rainforest in a post-visit activity
6. Suggest some of the night time activities and have pupils think about what they might contribute to such activities eg. Singing,
Bush dancing, Concert, Fancy Dress. These type of activities often require a bit of pre-visit thinking.
7. Print T-shirts for your visit - think of an appropriate message to screen print. Make up series of award sheets for the camp.
8. DEBATES - Prepare a debate on topics such as the following:
• "Living in town is better than living in the country."
• "The Great Barrier Reef cannot survive."
• "The Australian bushlands are more important than the Rainforests."
9. Devise and give an Environmental pre-test of pupils knowledge of school ground and local suburban area.
10. Survey the different types of birds found in the school grounds - build a class database using your classroom computer.
11. CONVERSATION - Write a humorous conversation between any of the following:
- Leaf and a Caterpillar
- Greenie and Donald Duck
- Tree trunk and a termite
- He-man and a Forest Ranger
12. Run a theme on the school grounds environment or on the suburban environment in which they live.
13. ENVIRONMENTAL TREASURE HUNT - Have pupils make up a series of clues for pupils to follow around the school grounds. Select a series of interest points and have pupils make up a few questions about each point of interest. [eg. Follow the trail to the largest Eucalypt in the school yard. How high is the tree? How old is the tree? Pupils can find an environmental treasure at the end of the trail eg. flower, gumnut.]
14. SAILING - Find out as much information as you can about sailing, sailing boats and sailboards. Make up a small sailing boat (foam) which pupils can try out when they come on camp.
15. DRAMA - A large area of forest on the edge of Atherton is about to be cleared to make way for a large set of flats. You are to be part of a meeting between the following people:
- Council Town Planner (Bill Bosseyboots)
- Opposition Flat Owner (Steven Selfish)
- Property Developer (Michael Moneybags)
- Desperate Accommodation Seekers (Brian & Betty Broke)
- Golf Club President (Simon Sport)
- Concerned Citizen (Sally Savalot)
16. General Study of Australian mammals - Posters available from National Parks Macropods