Junior Class Trip to Audubon Naturalist Society Rust Nature Sanctuary
by Hays T. '21
This past weekend, Foxcroft’s Junior Class took a trip to Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg, VA. The sanctuary is part of the Audubon Naturalist Society, which is a non-profit environmental organization located in the Washington, DC, region with a mission to help conserve the environment while teaching others about it. The juniors have chosen this non-profit for our Junior Class Philanthropy project. Earlier in the semester, we were able to go to their headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD, but the trip we took this weekend was about the program we will be supporting as a class.
This past weekend, Foxcroft’s Junior Class took a trip to Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg, VA. The sanctuary is part of the Audubon Naturalist Society, which is a non-profit environmental organization located in the Washington, DC, region with a mission to help conserve the environment while teaching others about it. The juniors have chosen this non-profit for our Junior Class Philanthropy project. Earlier in the semester, we were able to go to their headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD, but the trip we took this weekend was about the program we will be supporting as a class.
While the Junior Class was at the Rust Nature Sanctuary, we pretended we were third and fifth-grade students because this is the audience of the program. At the sanctuary, our class was split into two groups — one went to the pond while the other went to the small outdoor classroom, and then we switched.
My group started in the mini-classroom where we participated in watershed activities at different tables. We learned about pollution in water and how trees can help eliminate pollution. At the pond, students were able to scoop critters out and analyze what type of animal it was, which helped us determine if the water was healthy or polluted. In the end, our class played a pollution game similar to "Sharks and Minnows," which bonded us more as a class as well as to the environment. This trip was so amazing and I am so excited to support this program because I know we chose an amazing organization.
The Rust Nature Sanctuary has the same mission of the Audubon Naturalist Society; however, its focus is on educating children about the environment. The Rust Nature Sanctuary hosts young students who may not be exposed to nature in their home or school life. The volunteers at the Sanctuary educate the children on watershed and pollution, which is on their third and fifth-grade science Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Bringing the children to an outdoor classroom furthers their knowledge about the environment.
Unfortunately, the Audubon Naturalist Society is not able to fund the buses that take the students to their “outdoor classroom.” Buses are very expensive, and the children’s parents may not be able to pay the fee to cover this cost. Foxcroft’s Junior Class, the Class of 2021, will be raising money this year to support the transportation of the children to this program. For every $10 the Junior Class raises, one child will be seated on the bus. So, please help this year’s Junior Class fill as many buses as the Rust Nature Sanctuary can handle.
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My group started in the mini-classroom where we participated in watershed activities at different tables. We learned about pollution in water and how trees can help eliminate pollution. At the pond, students were able to scoop critters out and analyze what type of animal it was, which helped us determine if the water was healthy or polluted. In the end, our class played a pollution game similar to "Sharks and Minnows," which bonded us more as a class as well as to the environment. This trip was so amazing and I am so excited to support this program because I know we chose an amazing organization.
The Rust Nature Sanctuary has the same mission of the Audubon Naturalist Society; however, its focus is on educating children about the environment. The Rust Nature Sanctuary hosts young students who may not be exposed to nature in their home or school life. The volunteers at the Sanctuary educate the children on watershed and pollution, which is on their third and fifth-grade science Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Bringing the children to an outdoor classroom furthers their knowledge about the environment.
Unfortunately, the Audubon Naturalist Society is not able to fund the buses that take the students to their “outdoor classroom.” Buses are very expensive, and the children’s parents may not be able to pay the fee to cover this cost. Foxcroft’s Junior Class, the Class of 2021, will be raising money this year to support the transportation of the children to this program. For every $10 the Junior Class raises, one child will be seated on the bus. So, please help this year’s Junior Class fill as many buses as the Rust Nature Sanctuary can handle.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
