Outdoor Education (Natural Resources Schools)

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Natural Resources Schools are an innovative partnership between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and South Carolina Department of Education.
The innovation was conceived through multiple meetings between South Carolina's State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Jim Rex, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Director, John Frampton.

The concept is to integrate fish, wildlife, natural resources, outdoor skills and conservation education into all aspects of the classroom to improve student achievement, behavior, critical thinking skills, ability to problem solve attitudes and behaviors towards natural resources, fish, wildlife, outdoor activities and conservation.

At participating schools, natural resources, conservation and outdoor skills will be incorporated into all areas of the schools, including classroom instruction, extended-day activities, field investigations, service projects and end-of-the-year culminating experiences.

This innovative program will be piloted at Palmetto Middle School in Anderson County starting in January 2009. As positive results are achieved, Natural Resource Schools will be implemented statewide as a public school choice option. Students and parents statewide will have the choice to attend a school that offers fish, wildlife and natural resource-themed activities throughout all areas of the school.

How will natural Resource Schools improve education?
Natural Resource Schools provide a unique opportunity to enhance public education in South Carolina while also addressing several issues of national concern.

Did you know?
* Approximately 3% to 7% of school-aged children struggle to cope with Attention-Deficit Disorder.
*Children with ADD tend to display higher rates of family conflict, poor academic performance, poor peer relationships, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
*In 9 out of 10 children, ADD medication only provides temporary gains in academic productivity and fails to improve long-term social land academic outcomes. ADD medications often include depression, suppress appetite, and disrupt sleep.
*As many as 30% of children nationwide are overweight.
*As many as 30% of boys and 40% of girls are at risk of being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.
*Over the past three decades, the rate of childhood obesity has doubled for children ages 2-5 and has tripled for children ages 6-11.
*Less than 25% of children participate in daily physical activities and physical inactivity is the primary cause of the recent rise in obesity.

Good news!
*Studies indicate that exposure to natural settings and “green� activities reduce symptoms of ADD and provide beneficial outcomes long after such experiences.
*Evidence suggests that children and adults benefit so much from contact with nature that land conservation can now be viewed as a public health strategy.
*Children are move physically active when outdoors and exhibit stronger senses of problem-solving ability, creativity, self-esteem and self-discipline.
*Children exhibit fewer ADD systems and have an enhanced ability to focus after outdoor activities such as camping and fishing.
*Children with outdoor classroom curricula generally score higher on measures of knowledge transfer.
*Outdoor activities in natural settings provide an unparalleled opportunity for parents to enjoy some personal downtime while experiencing quality family time with their children in a relaxing atmosphere.
*Increasing access to a wide range of green exercise activities for all children will produce substantial public health benefits and increase the likelihood of understanding the need to care for natural resources thus leading to a transformation of people and nature.
*Natural Resource Schools will reconnect youth to the outdoors and their local heritage while also helping teachers improve student learning and behavior.
Needed Support

As we all know, it takes a village to raise a child, and this partnership is no exception. With the help of partners like you, DNR and SCDE can improve this effort and expand it faster than if we do it alone. Don’t let this opportunity pass South Carolina by; we need all kinds of support, including funding, volunteers, equipment and other classroom materials.
If your organization, or you individually, would like to partner with us on this project, please contact:

Lorianne Riggin, Aquatic Education Coordinator/Natural Resources Schools Coordinator
Phone: 803-737-8483
Email: rigginL@dnr.sc.gov

John Frampton, SCDNR Director
Phone: 803-734-4007
Email: framptonj@dnr.sc.gov

Dr. Jim Rex, SC State Superintendent of Schools
Phone: 803-734-8491
Email: rexj@ed.sc.gov