Learning Labs are the heart of our Outdoor Education. We use the outdoors as our classroom, and engage in hands-on activities involving student observation and interaction with animals & plant eco-systems found in the beautiful Flint Creek and the surrounding Ozark Hills.

Our curriculum is correlated to assist educators in meeting or exceeding Oklahoma's Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) and Arkansas' Science Curriculum Framework (ASCF) for 5th grade students

Astronomy

On a clear night during a multi-day camp, the Christian Association of Stellar Explorers (and astronomy club closely associated with John Brown University) leads an exploration of the stars and planets in the night sky. Great instruction and telescopes are provided!

 

(PASS: ES 3.3)

Birding

Armed with binoculars and a bird identification book, students wait by themselves quietly along the trail until the forest life returns to normal, and then marvel at all the birds that come into view. In addition to our resident birds, many migratory species pass through the area during their seasonal trips. The American Bald Eagle even makes an appearence during the winter months!

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: LS 4.14, 4.15)

Creative Arts

We serve a creative God who reveals himself through his creation. Our personal expression aids in internalizing lessons learned while in the outdoors. Various creative activities are possible depending on the season and the weather: Sketching, Dried Plants, Texture Rubbing, and Creative Writing.

Fishing

We will dive deep for a close-up look at the fish living in Flint Creek. These lessons will help your group identify different species of fish, their role in the food chain, and the importance of water quality as it impacts the aquatic habitat. Powerful spiritual lessons are also learned through this adventure!

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: LS 4.5, 4.3, 4.4, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16)

Flight

One of the greatest inventions of the past 100 years has been flying machines. This lab explores the basic physics behind the principles of flight using simple flying machines in the form of various kites. This great learning adventure is enhanced when the Lord provides some good wind, so check the weather prior to your arrival!

Fossils

Frozen in time, various types of fossiles are recorded in the stones of Flint Creek. Campers will explore geological formations of the region and find, examine, and learn to identify the treasures that lived long ago. This outdoor adventure rocks!

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: ESS 8.4, 8.7, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3)

Habitat Hike

Hiking the trails around NLR provides oppurtunities to discover the uniqueness of our natural world. We focus on the basic concepts of ecology, as well as discussing and examining the creatures that live in our Ozark forests.

(PASS: ES 3.1)

Insects

Everything was created for a purpose, so don't let this lab bug you! Students will catch, identify, and attempt to determine what God was thinking when he made the different insects around us. Nets, cages, indentification books, and other tools are all provided!

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: LS 4.14, 4.15)

Outdoor Edibles

Getting hands dirty foraging for wild edibles and medicinal plants expands the learning process as students discover what Native Americans have known for years. Learn how to identify and then cook with these treasures from nature in this relaxing, fun, and tasty outdoor adventure!

(PASS: SPI 1.2, 2.1; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: LS 2.7, 2.8, 4.5, 4.14, 4.16)

Trees

Students will branch out in their understanding of life as they take a closer look at the diversity of trees found around camp. From seedling to stump, trees play a key role in the life of our world. Students will practive tree identification and get a chance to take core samples from several different species of trees.

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2) (ASCF: LS 2.7, 2.8, 4.8, 4.16)

Water Study

Finding out what lies beneath the surface requires a person to wade in and take a look. So we will don our creek shoes and observe some of the unseen organisms that call Flint Creek home. Students will use dichotomous keys to identify the microinvertebrates that we capture.

 

(PASS: SPI 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2; LS 2.1, 2.2; ES 3.2) (ASCF: NS 1.1, 1.2; LS 4.6, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16)

Waterway Survey

Discover what happens when a river runs through it, around it, and over it. We will canoe on some limited access areas of Flint Creek, taking a broad look at the streams impact on the land and man's impact on the stream. We will address concepts of flow, current, contour of the land, aquatic vegetation, team work, and canoeing skills.

(PASS: LS 2.2; ES 3.1, 3.2) (ASCF: LS 4.16)

Weather

The water cycle is more than a big tricycle skimming over a lake! Clouds, rain, evaporation, severe weather events, and cold & warm fronts are some of the aspects of the weather explored in this lab.

(PASS: ES 3.2)

Wild Flowers

Spring is an amazing time to explore the forest floor around NLR. Flowers such as the Bloodroot and Trout Lilly mark the entry of spring but are short lived. This is a great time to slow down and smell (and sometimes taste) the flowers!