Black Rock Retreat’s Curriculum Matrix for Outdoor Education
The following are Creation Exploration classes that you may select from for your students to participate in.
Click on any word in the QuickLinks below to jump to a particular place on the page:
| Living on the Wild Side Objective: For students to discover how the Lord provides for the needs of His children through His creation and most importantly, through His Son. Students will learn to identify edible and medicinal plants common to a northern forest and what to take precaution of when looking for edible plants. Activities include an identification hike and sampling of edible plants. Back to Top |
| Vegetation Investigation Objective: To help students better understand the function of various plant parts by studying the seeds, tree cookies, leaves, and trunk/stem structure. Activities include: examining and identifying means of survival for plants; building a tree through acting out the roles of the various parts; and a hike to look at plants and how they survive. Students will come away with a greater understanding of God’s amazing design of His creation. Older students will also look at transpiration and the transfer of energy. Back to Top |
| What’s in a Name? Objective: Students will learn the importance of a classification system and will learn how to classify/identify trees using a simple key. Activities include practice of basic classification and then a nature hike where students will use a key and identify trees based upon their leaves. Back to Top |
| Wildflower Identification Objective: As students learn to use a dichotomous key to identify wildflowers, they will also learn to identify and explain the functions of the various plant parts. A study of pollination – how it happens and its importance for the flower’s survival – is also included. Students will also discover a few of the uses of common wildflowers, whether edible or medicinal in quality. Activities include a game, wildflower hike, and exploring the usefulness of wildflowers. *Available April – June. Back to Top |
| Winter Plants Objective: Students will learn some survival techniques that plants use in the winter as well as properties of snow and how it is helpful to the plants. Activities will include tree identification and snow experiments. *Available December – February Back to Top |
| Asking the Animals Objective: For students to understand how God has designed each creature to live in its specific habitat. Students will also study animal habitats and learn how to find signs of animal habitat and activity. Activities include an observation hike and a visit to the nature center with study of the animals there. *Recommended for 4th through 6th grade Back to Top |
| Beholding the Birds Objective: Students will be able to name and utilize the six clues of bird identification. Using these clues and bird guides they will learn to identify local bird species. Students will also discover that birds can teach us about our Creator and His love for us. The main activity will be a bird watching hike using binoculars and field guides. Back to Top |
| Checking Out Consumers Objective: Students will learn to identify the various roles of organisms within a food chain or web, with a focus on the consumers. Animal behavior will also be discussed. The emphasis will be on animals and will explore some of their behaviors as students learn who eats who. We will study food chains and webs as well as what makes animals alike and different. Activities will include games, owl pellet dissection, and a look at the animals in our Nature Center. Back to Top |
| Investigating Insects Objective: Students will learn the basics about what insects are and how their bodies function. They will be able to distinguish between the various parenting habits of insects. They will also investigate why insects are important in God’s creation – what their niche is. Activities include insect collection and identification (catch & release). *Recommended for 4th through 6th grade level Back to Top |
| Tracking Objective: Students will discover the amazing world God has created and learn how to observe and track wildlife. They will learn what kind of evidence to look for that show signs of wildlife presence. The life and habits of animals will be discussed and studied. Activities will include tracking using various senses, an investigative hike, and a brief solo observation time. Back to Top |
| Winter Coats Objective: Students will discover the different ways that animals survive the winter and will understand how life in a pond continues through the winter. They will learn about the different environmental conditions in the winter months and what animals do to adapt. Activities will include looking for evidences of different animals, studying our pond, tracking, as well as several educational games. *Available December – February Back to Top |
| Considering the Heavens Objective: Students will learn to identify several common constellations and how to use a star chart. They will discover the difference between the many celestial objects and terms. Finally they will stand in awe of God’s provision for us as they learn just how perfectly planned our galaxy is. Activities include solar system role playing, distance hikes, construction of star charts (one for each student), and weather permitting an evening of star gazing with binoculars and/or a telescope. Back to Top |
| Fantastic Fossils Objective: Students will learn how fossils tell us about the past and give evidence of the Great Flood. They will investigate the types of fossils and how they were formed, and learn how fossels point to a Creator. Activities will include: a fossil "dig" and making fossil models. Back to Top |
| Rocks & Minerals Objective: Students will learn to differentiate between rocks and minerals and will learn basic field identification techniques for identifying minerals. Students will also be able to identify the basic structure of the earth and identify the three types of rock found on earth, noting the differences between them. Activities include identification of sample specimens through various tests and also a hike on which students will look for rocks & minerals and then identify them. Back to Top |
| Soil Investigation – Beneath your Feet Objective: Students will learn to identify the different types of soil andlayers of soil and will understand the importance of soil to all of life. They will be able to explain the causes and effects of erosion and how to better prevent erosion in their community. Activities include a percolation test, soil tests, erosion experiments, and “constructing” a little house on various soil types to then predict and watch the effects of rain on their construction. Back to Top |
| Weather Objective: For students to learn how to identify basic cloud types, and use the basic aspects of wind, temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity and clouds to predict weather. Students will also learn how nature can help us predict what kind of weather lies ahead. Learning will take place at various outdoor stations. Activities include constructing a simple weather instrument, finding wind speed and direction, investigating nature’s response to the weather, and an experiment to find dew point and relative humidity. Back to Top |
| Classifying Creeping Creatures Objective: Students will discover the abundance of invertebrates that the Lord has created. They will learn how to and the importance of classifying invertebrates, particularly insects. Activities include insect identification and classification using field guides and a simplified classification chart. *Recommended for 6th grade or higher Back to Top |
| Loving Linnaeus Objective: Students will learn to identify the basic levels of classification, learn the phylum and classes within the animal kingdom, and be able to classify many vertebrates. Activities include classifying vertebrates using live animals, mounted specimens and photographs, and a hike on which to practice the skills of classification. *Recommended for 6th grade or higher Back to Top |
| Exploring Creation Connections Objective: For students to recognize the delicate balance in God’s creation. Discussion will focus on cycles within an ecosystem, specific types of symbiosis between organisms, the different roles organisms have in God's creation including the living and non-living parts, and our role as care takers. This class includes many activities to reinforce basic ecology concepts. Back to Top |
| Forest Ecology Objective: For students to identify the different types of forests, the layers of a forest, the stages of succession, and the common trees around Black Rock. Activities include a quadrant study and a hike observing various layers within the forest and the different stages of the forest areas. Back to Top |
| Watersheds Objective: Students will learn what a watershed is and how their actions affect it as well as other ways that it relates to them. We will be looking specifically at the Chesapeake Bay watershed and discussing how the activities at Black Rock Retreat affect its water quality. Back to Top |
| The Great Creation Recycling Company Objective: Students will discover that the author of recycling, the Creator, has created the universe in such a way that water, air, and soil are all recycled. During this session, students will explore a few of the primary examples of recycling in nature through the water, soil, and oxygen cycles. Activities include a soil study and a search for other examples of recycling in creation. Students also get to practice recycling while making their own paper. *Recommended for elementary through 6th grade Back to Top |
| Wading into Water Objective: Students will discuss the steps involved in the hydrologic cycle, the unique qualities of water, and the many purposes of this amazing substance. They will learn how to conduct a biotic study to determine water quality. Activities include an exploration of the Octoraro Creek to learn how to determine the cleanliness of the water based on the organisms that live there. Back to Top |
| Advanced Water Study Objective: Students will learn how to conduct a biotic study (as in "Wading Into Water") and also an abiotic study on the Octoraro Creek. That is they will test several factors including ph, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen levels. Using both biotic and abiotic results students will determine the water quality of the stream. *Recommended for 7th grade Back to Top |
| Caring For Creation Objective: Students will discuss why caring for the Creation is so important and practical ways in which they can improve their actions at home and school. Students will also spend time doing a service project at Black Rock Retreat. *Recommended for 7th grade or above Back to Top |
| The Life of the Amish Objective: Students will learn a little of the history of the Amish church and what a typical day is like for a child their age. Students will have a great time learning about this unique culture as their instructor role-plays an Amish person. Back to Top |
| Finding the Way Objective: For students to learn how to read a topographical map, the parts of a compass, and how to use a compass. Activities include making orienteering shapes, practicing skills on our practice course, and using a GPS unit. The class will culminate in students “finding the way” on our orienteering course in the forest. Back to Top |
| Getting Back to Basics Objective: For students to learn how to pick out an appropriate shelter location and construct a shelter using two tarps and ropes. They will learn to setup a cooking area by laying out a teepee, log cabin, and A-shaped fire using tinder, kindling, and coal producers. They will also learn how to obtain clean water in the wilderness by using a water filter. And finally they will have a chance to cook and eat the some tasty bannock. Back to Top |
| Canoeing Basics Objective: Students will learn the basics of canoeing, including common strokes, steering, and canoe safety. We will travel off-site to a local reservoir to practice our canoeing skills and study an aspect of God's Creation. The canoeing course takes up two class periods and is coupled with the following subject area: Bird Watching: Many waterfowl call the lake habitat their home, and other avian species use the surrounding woods and marshes. From our canoes we will look for different bird species, including geese, mergansers, herons, and maybe even a bald eagle! (This course is reserved for students in 6th hrade or above and a maximum group size of 30 participants. Please contact the Outdoor Education Director to check on class availability.) Back to Top |
| GeoCache Black Rock Objective: GPS technology can be found everywhere: in personal vehicles, scientific research, aircraft, surveying, the trucking industry...and the list goes on! But do your students really understand how it works? Students will relate position on the earth's surface using latitude, longitude, and altitude. They will also look at the technology involved in GPS and explain how trilateration is used to find locations. Activities include navigating around BRR to find hidden geocache locations. Back to Top |
| Group Initiatives Objective: For students to learn and to experience what teamwork is and how to better work together with their peers. This class presents various challenges and problems to the group which they must work through. Trust, communication, caring, and commitment are other character traits that are discussed. This class is a part of the 8 th grade adventure program but can also be taken by any grade level that wants to focus on teambuilding. Each activity is followed up by a debrief discussion reflecting on what happened and how the activity can be related to life. Back to Top |
| Low and High Ropes Course * Reserved for 8th grade or higher and takes the place of the four class periods and is combined with Group Initiatives A challenge ropes course consists of a series of group challenges and individual physical challenges that require a combination of teamwork skills and commitment. The ropes course experience is designed to increase confidence and self esteem; increase mutual support and foster respect for differences within a group as well as challenge students in their faith. Debriefing is an important part of the ropes course, helping students to process the experience and apply what they are learning to their lives. Back to Top |
| Solo * Reserved for 8th grade or higher and takes the place of the four class periods and is combined with Group Initiatives Following a day and a half of participation on the challenge ropes course, students are spread out in the woods (weather permitting) and given about an hour of solo time. Though one of the most challenging parts of the program for the youth of today who always have distractions and activity nearby, it is a valuable time for each student to stop and “Be still” before the Lord. The time is designed for them to reflect upon their experience over the past few days, read from God’s Word, and spend time in prayer before Him. Each student has a journal with questions to help spur their reflection. Back to Top |
| Camp Out * Reserved for 8th grade or higher and takes the place of the four class periods and is combined with Group Initiatives (Optional) Weather permitting, an overnight sleep out at various campsites located throughout the property. Guys and girls will have separate campsites. Chaperones are needed to sleep out as well. Back to Top |
| Open Gym The Outdoor Education Staff will assist you and your students in free time in the gymnasium. We have a full length basketball court, or alternatively students may play volleyball or soccer. In the game room we have games such as ping-pong, carpet ball, and foosball. Back to Top |
| Nighthike On our nighthikes we head out into the forest on main trails without artificial light. We allow our eyes to adjust to the darkness and talk about nocturnal animals. Near the end of the hike we do a short solo hike where students walk alone down the trail to where the Outdoor Education Instructor is waiting. We challenge the students to consider how the Lord is always with us even when others let us down, and we make analogies between the solo hike and our walk with the Lord. Back to Top |
| Alpha Wolf Students will learn some behaviors of wolves while having a great time. Each wolf pack is trying to find the Alpha Wolf (an Outdoor Education Instructor) somewhere on Black Rock Retreat property. Students will learn to function in the dark without artificial light and how wolves work together as a team to find the alpha wolf. Back to Top |
| Top Secret Students work together in “spy-op teams” to recreate the secret “machine.” Each spy has a specific role within their team, and communication between group members is critical for each team to be successful. This low-key game can be played indoors or outdoors and is designed to help students develop problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. Back to Top |
| Campfire At our campfire students will not only have the chance to make s’mores, but will have a great time learning fun new songs and performing skits. Back to Top |
| Survivor This game is a fun way to role play the interactions between living things and their environment. Students represent different plant and animal groups and are sent out to collect all five habitat components. Watch out for other groups or habitat disturbances that may steal the habitat component cards! Back to Top |