In these uncertain times, we know that you as a parent want to find fun, engaging enrichment opportunities for your child that will also help them learn and grow.
Our virtual courses will help your child engage in the outdoors – from the comfort of home – so they can grow into happy, healthy young adults.
Registration in one of our courses includes:
Live online teaching with educators
Kit with activity materials
Rewards to celebrate the end of the course
“Offline” activities to complete as a family
Connections with other students
Activity learning packet
For 3rd-5th Graders
April 8th, 15th, 22nd (Thursdays)
4:30p-5:30p EST
Activities: water experiments, heat and light experiments, structures in nature, and more!
Inside the Kit: plastic cups, coffee filters, Lifesavers, marshmallows, toothpicks, and more!
Award: Certificate, sticker
Lo is our Youth Program Manager and has been with Venture Outdoors for over five years. Prior to her role at Venture Outdoors, she joined Teach for America and taught middle school math and science for three years. Lo is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and American Canoe Association kayaking instructor.
Kelly is our Youth Education and Training Coordinator and has been with Venture Outdoors for two years. She was a camp counselor for eight years at resident summer camps with the Girl Scouts. She has hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail and recently completed her first 70-mile ultramarathon.
Your child will join other kids from all over the country to engage in outdoor activities from the comfort of your own home. Children will explore the outdoors by participating in various activities, including STEM experiments, outdoor educational activities, nature crafts, and more! Venture Outdoors staff will log on every week on Zoom for 1 hour to lead your child through activities and encourage them to try “offline” activities on their own as a family or with friends.
All camps will use Zoom and are accessible via a computer, laptop, tablet or phone.
Participants will receive an activity toolkit with materials for course activities. Depending on the course, the kit may include items such as a compass, a field notebook, species ID guides, seed planting materials, magnifying glasses, and more. Toolkit pick-up days will be scheduled for Pittsburgh participants or can be shipped to your address for an additional charge.
Enrollment in the three week course costs $35 per child. Cost includes 1 hour of online teaching once a week for three weeks, a materials kit, and “offline” activities. Information regarding material delivery will be distributed at least one week prior to the start of camp. All programs are subject to a minimum and maximum number of participants.
We teach youth in a live online session for one hour once a week for six weeks. We will encourage kids to try an activity at home with family members after each lesson (can you teach Mom how to build a shelter?) so you may spend a half hour learning from and talking to your child about what they did in their session each week. The instructor will send an e-mail out to parents throughout the week issuing a “Family Challenge”, including questions to ask your child or other activities that supplement what they’ve learned. Lastly, we will also provide optional “offline” resources that you and your family can participate in.
Kelly Sarkis, Youth Education and Training Coordinator, has been with Venture Outdoors for two years. She has been a camp counselor for eight years at resident summer camps with the Girl Scouts and has taught virtual lessons with kids since April.
Lo Zemanek, Youth Program Manager, has been with Venture Outdoors for over five years. Prior to her role at Venture Outdoors, she joined Teach for America and taught middle school math and science for 3.5 years. Lo is a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
E-mail kelly@ventureoutdoors.org or call 412-255-0564 x227 with any questions.
We would like to thank NOVA Chemicals for sponsoring our virtual courses. Their generous donation makes giving children outdoor experiences possible.
