One-Year Partnership Program

"Children are disconnected from the world outside their doors and connected with endangered animals and ecosystems around the globe through electronic media... But wouldn't is be easier, and healthier, to both think and act locally at this age?... What's important is that children have an opportunity to bond with the natural world, to learn to love it and feel comfortable in it, before being asked to heal its wounds." ~ David Sobel: professer of elementary education at Antioch New England Graduate School, author of "Mapmaking with Children."

The progression of field trips and projects in the Hidden Villa Partnership Program is based on the principles of place-based education and the developmentally appropriate stages of environmental education, as described by progressive educators in the field such as David Sobel. According to these stages children should first be given the opportunity to bond with their local environment and be supported in developing empathy towards the animals and plants livings in these habitats. Then children are ready to fully explore their local environment and learn more about the natural systems at work there. Finally, with appropriate assistance and guidance, children are ready to take social action on issues of local concern. Although there are no clear boundaries between these stages, they can act to help us understand our students and to guide us in developing effective environmental education programs.