Built with support from community and the Scenic Rim Regional Council, Wild Mountains is continuing to bring quality environmental and educational experiences to school children in the Scenic Rim.

Out of its 2011 successes, Wild Mountains kicked off 2012 in February, with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School earning its first two Earthkeepers “keys” while attending the three day Earthkeepers Program.

Grade 6 teachers, Belinda Ciuffetelli and Matt Stark commented after the camp that “We are continually impressed with how the Earthkeepers program engages each student’s head, heart and hands. Our kids went home more knowledgeable about the earth’s natural systems, and excited and enlightened about sustainability, how it affects them and what they can do to make a difference.

“They were also very tired from 3 days of discovering, exploring, fun, challenging, co operative and hands on work in a magical rainforest setting,” the teachers said.

Belinda indicated that the Earthkeepers program maps beautifully with the Australian Curriculum in Science and is an inspiring thinking tool utilised to plant that seed in student’s minds for when they come to their sustainability unit.

Matt added “We were pleasantly surprised with how the setting and program brought out some amazing writing, feelings and responses in our students.”

The camp was a great success not only for the students but also for the teachers. Belinda commented that “Students are very motivated in becoming Earthkeepers, earning their last two “keys” and making a difference. We can’t wait to visit again!”

The team at Wild Mountains look forward to having more St Mary’s students back in 2013 as well as other local schools throughout 2012.

For more information about Wild Mountains and its education programs go to: http://wildmountains.org/

Article written by Lizz Hills