Building environmental stewards: A new initiative for high school students

October 03, 2024| Education, Environment

By: Patrick Krudop

This fall, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our environmental field trip program. Over the past eight years, we have concentrated on engaging students in grades 4 through 6. This year, we are excited to be introducing a program tailored for high school students in grades 9 through 12.

Through hands-on experiences at the scenic Musconetcong River and aboard our Floating Classroom, students gain a deeper understanding of our lake’s rich history and ecological importance. In our inaugural year, four local high schools participated, with more than 200 students engaged over the course of four weeks.

With an older audience—some of whom may soon consider careers in environmental science—it was essential to offer a program that delved deeper into the subject matter and provided nuanced insights they would find valuable. To support this, I first visited the students in their classrooms to share key foundational knowledge in preparation for their field trip to Hopatcong State Park.

During their field trip to Hopatcong State Park, students conducted stream and lake assessments at the Musconetcong River and aboard our Floating Classroom. They performed water quality experiments, testing pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and water clarity. Thanks to the Foundation’s dedicated team of educators, students gained invaluable hands-on experience as well as a deeper appreciation for the local environment—insights they can carry with them into the future.

Our high school field trip program—and all the educational opportunities it provides—would not be possible without the generous support of the Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your invaluable assistance in making this initiative a reality!

This program expansion reflects our commitment to inspiring a passion for the environment in students of all ages. Our enthusiasm in welcoming high school participants was only surpassed by the joy of seeing them actively engage with the natural world in meaningful ways and the valuable lessons they carried with them from the experience.