Our Vermont Woods

Vermont Fish & Wildlife says it still has a few openings in its fish and wildlife summer course for teachers and other educators.

The hands-on field course gets educators out into Vermont’s streams, forests and wetlands with some of the state’s leading natural resource experts.  It will be held at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury from July 15 to 20. 

Now in its 33rd year, “Wildlife Management and Outdoor Education Techniques for Educators,” is a one-week, three-credit graduate course taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) staff through Castleton University. 

“Wildlife resources are important to all Vermonters in one way or another,” says Fish & Wildlife’s Education Manager Alison Thomas.  “If educators can get connected with the outdoors and in turn expose their students, then many of these students will be able to make informed decisions about Vermont wildlife and their habitat needs.”

“This course is unique in that it helps non-formal and pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers from any discipline -- math, language arts, physical education, or history -- improve their instructional strategies and make their lesson plans more relevant to their students.”

“This course is hands-on,” added Thomas.  “It continues to evolve and incorporate new environmental education ideas and activities.  But, we also continue to do traditional programs that have been part of the week for 33 years.  It’s a great mix of new and old with all of it being incredibly helpful and memorable.” 

Tuition is $650 for the course.  Books, food and overnight facilities are included.  A limited number of partial scholarships are available.  A course description, schedule of activities, and registration information are available by emailing: Alison.Thomas@Vermont.Gov.

Buck Lake Conservation Camp is located east of Route 14, north of Woodbury Village.