Sunship III Program Details

	"All week I have been keeping in touch with the Earth by sitting in my Magic Spot and observing the cool creatures."

Sunship IIITM is a comprehensive environmental science program geared to 7th graders. The on-site portion of the program lasts three days and two nights at the Sunship Study Station, a natural outdoor setting at T.R.E.E.'s Outdoor Classroom just west of Covington. The Sunship III staff, group counselors, and classroom teacher combine efforts to provide a dynamic, effective learning experience. The student extends this program back at home, school, and in the larger community by implementing a personal plan to visit people and places that are successfully applying the environmental concepts introduced at camp. Sunship III is a beginning unit rather than a culminating one.

Sunship III helps students understand their use of energy and materials and the interrelationships of our ecological systems through exploration and discovery of how and where we live. Students learn about our home, the third planet from the sun, with the understanding that, as young adults, they will be making more and more decisions for themselves, and some of the most important decisions they make will be about their use of energy and materials and how they will relate with other life that share this “sunship” with them. Everything participants do during the program focuses on two things: perceptions and choices; seeing things in a new way and examining alternative choices for a less consumptive lifestyle. In addition, throughout the program students learn to appreciate the richness and beauty of our planet through first-hand contact.

The following are some important points you'll want to know:

• Sunship III has been run by T.R.E.E. for the past 6 years. Over 170 New Orleans area school students have attended. The staff is highly trained, caring and committed.
• A minimum of 8 adults supervise the class of approximately 25 students. Students are NEVER without supervision.
• The class is divided into groups by the teacher and each group is supervised by one of the school's adult chaperones. The students receive direct instruction from T.R.E.E. staff who provides for personal, quality learning for each child.
• The remainder of the time (meals, concept integration activities, campfire, crafts, etc.) is spent as a whole class group.
• The school provides a qualified person to give medications. A hospital is only 5 minutes from camp.
• Students live in dormitory-type buildings. Boys and male chaperones from the school sleep on one side; girls and female chaperones from the school sleep on the other. A cinder block dividing wall and separate bathrooms are between the two sides.
• Participants are fed by T.R.E.E. staff. Meals are tailored to fit adolescents' eating habits while still being nutritious and accommodating various eating styles (vegetarian). Snacks are provided throughout the day.
• The cost of the program includes EVERYTHING! (Included in the cost is bus, insurance, camping fees, wholesome meals, snacks, all supplies for activities and crafts, and a staff of 1 adult for every 4 children.