Environmental school is a rite of passage in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. Every year sixth graders from around the conference can attend environmental school at Broken Arrow Ranch where they learn about the outdoors, make new friends, and learn more about Jesus. Last fall 53 students from six schools and one home school attended environmental school at Broken Arrow Ranch in Kansas.
It is an event that students look forward to for years and never forget. It is an opportunity to get out of the classroom to have fun with their friends and make new friends with students from other schools. There is an even greater purpose for environmental school. In the book, Education, Ellen White writes,
“The book of nature, which spread its living lessons before them, afforded an exhaustless source of instruction and delight. On every leaf of the forest and stone of the mountains, in every shining star, in earth and sea and sky, God’s name was written” (31).
Our students were delighted to learn from the book of nature.
This week of learning in the book of nature would not be possible without the 18 adults, mostly volunteers, who invested a week of their time in making this learning experience happen. Students learned orienteering taught by Jeaneen Erickson, College View Academy teacher, videography taught by Saul Dominguez, Kansas-Nebraska Conference communication director, wilderness survival taught by Dr. Mary Burton, Wichita Adventist Christian Academy teacher, and wildlife taught by Megan Wehling, Midland Academy teacher.
An exciting aspect of this experience is the mentoring that takes place between adult volunteers and the students. The volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and the students benefit from these positive interactions. At the center of the experience was intentional time with Jesus each morning and evening. Pastor Nick Snell, Kansas-Nebraska Conference youth and young adult director, led the students in singing and presented meaningful and relevant worship talks every morning and evening.
I am thankful for the financial support of our conference in making sure funds are available for this crucial experience in our territory.
Jeff Bovee is education superintendent for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
