VCE-Jamestown 4-H Educational Center

School Enrichment

Teachers may select from either a day or an overnight Environmental Education program. The day program offers classes such as Marine Science, Forest Ecology, Environmental Issues, canoeing, archery, and group initiatives. The History/Science overnight program includes environmental classes, tours of and outreach programs by the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation, lodging and meals. All classes are in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Program Goals and Objectives:
The goal of the Environmental Education Program at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center is to provide students, and the adults working with these young learners, opportunities to experience nature and our environment through a variety of activities that may not readily be available to them. Our objective is to create a hands-on, interactive, outdoor educational program utilizing surrounding natural resources in a safe and fun atmosphere. Activities will:

Promote environmental awareness and stewardship to encourage students to learn about natural resources in their area and conservation of these resources.
Foster an environment that is safe and interactive for students to not only see and learn, but to touch and experience in their learning styles.
Provide students with skills in science and social studies in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning for their grade level as well as incorporate basic scientific and problem solving skill development.
Promote fun, communication, listening skills and teamwork through exciting activities.

Types of Educational Programs for Teachers:

Day Environmental Educational Program
Overnight History/Science Field Trip Program

Recommended Audience:

Group age: 2nd to 8th grade
Group size: 12 to 100+ students
Program Available: September to May

Class Selections

Marine Science/ per class Minimum # 8 - Maximum # 15
Grade 2-3: Marine habitats and food chains Science SOLs 2.5, 3.5, 3.6
Grade 4-5: Food web investigation Science SOLs 4.5, 4.6
Grade 6-7: Water quality Science SOLs 6.8, 6.9, LS6, LS12
Forest Ecology/ per class Minimum #8 - Maximum # 15
- Grade 2-3: Tree ID investigations
  Science SOLs 2.1, 2.5, 3.1
- Grade 4-5: Tree structure and function
  Science SOLs 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 5.5
- Grade 6-7: Forest recycling
  Science SOLs 6.9, LS7, LS9
Environmental Issues/ per class Minimum #8 - Maximum # 15
- Grade 2-3: Habitat loss and protection
  Science SOLs 2.5, 3.1
- Grade 4-5: Land-use decision making
  Science SOLs 4.5, 4.8
- Grade 6-7: Pollution solutions
  Science SOLs 6.11, LS12
Physical Learning/ per class Minimum #8 - Maximum # 15
Cooperative Challenge Initiatives
Archery
Canoeing
Open Recreation
Water Polo
Out-reach Classes (for overnight History and Science Field trips only). Presented by JTYT Foundation.
Life of a Private SOLs VS1, VS5, USI1, USI6
Colonial Life SOLs VS1, VS4, VS5, USI1, USI5, USI6
Colonial Medicine SOLs VS1, USI1
Living with the Indians SOLs K1, 2.2, 2

Sample Schedules
Day Environmental Educational Programs
9:45-10:00 Arrival
10:00-10:15 Change into play clothes
10:15-10:30 Orientation
10:30-11:15 Class rotation 1
11:15-12:00 Class rotation 2
12:00-12:45 Lunch & free recreation time
12:45-1:30 Class rotation 3
1:30-2:15 Class rotation 4
2:15-3:00 Free Swim or departure
3:00-3:15 Change into dry clothes
3:30 Departure

Overnight History/ Science Educational Programs
Day 1:
1:00-1:45 Arrival, move into cabins, orientation
1:45-2:30 Class rotation 1
2:30-3:15 Class rotation 2v 3:20-3:45 Break
3:45-4:30 Class rotation 3
4:35-5:20 Class rotation 4
5:20-6:00 Free time and dinner prep
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Out-reach program 1 provided by JT/YT Foundation
8:00-9:00 Out-reach program 2 provided by JT/YTFoundation
9:00-9:30 Campfire

Day 2:
7:45-8:30 Breakfast
8:30-8:45 Clean up and pack luggage
8:45-9:00 Drive to Jamestown Settlement
9:00-11:15 Tour Jamestown Settlement
11:15-12:15 Box lunch or lunch back at 4-H Center
12:15-12:45 Drive to Yorktown Victory Center
1:00-3:00 Tour Yorktown Victory Center
3:00 Depart for home

Program Rates

Contact Center for rates

Considerations for your visit:

Classes are best suited to fill a 45 minute to an hour timeframe
The number of classes we can offer groups is determined by the size of the group and/or the availability of instructors. The 4-H Center staff relies heavily on trained volunteers. We will make every effort to provide the classes selected by the user group.
Jamestown 4-H reserves the right to cancel or substitute classes as needed. Allow an alternate activity in the even that conditions are not favorable or safe.
Out-reach programs (for History/Science Overnight Program only) are presented by the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation and are based on instructor availability.
Cooperative Challenge Initiatives are designed to build team unity, group cooperation and problem solving skills. We do not utilize the ropes course for these activities.
Free swim is based on pool and lifeguard availability. The operational season of the pool is generally from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Consider the time of year you are visiting. Generally, the months of late April through late-September offer suitable conditions to be in the water.
If water activities are a part of your schedule, please schedule time for students to change clothes.
Groups are required to provide a minimum of 1 adult leader per 10 students. These adult leaders need to rotate with their groups to provide supervision. Our instructors do not personally know the individual behavior of your students and can provide a much better learning environment if they focus only on instruction.
To make arrangements for a visit to Jamestown 4-H Educational Center:
- Decide which dates you would like to visit. Consider more than one option.
- Contact the Conference Coordinator at Jamestown 4-H Center (757-253-4931) to check availability on dates.
- A contract will be sent to you, along with a class selection form, suggested packing list and driving directions to the Center.

Deposit is due with signed contract.