Proof v.1.indd - Ebersole Environmental Education Center

Summer Camps at the Ebersole Center
The Ebersole Center is offering two exciting summer camp programs for campers
of all ages. These camps give kids the opportunity to explore the outdoors
while gaining an appreciation for nature. Ebersole Center summer camp programs
are planned and operated by experienced naturalists so campers have a great
time while staying safe. Campers experience all the fun of traditional
summer camp while learning about the outdoors.
Ebersole camps are open to all young people, regardless of their school district.
A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available from the Lansing
Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF) for Lansing School District
students. Applications are available from the Ebersole Center office.
Adventure Camp
June 12-16 | Students 9-11 years old | $200 person/week
A five-day, four-night residential camping experience for school children.
Campers have fun swimming in Gun Lake, canoeing, playing games, doing
arts and crafts, hiking the sand dunes of Lake Michigan, and testing their skills
in archery. Campers will also enjoy learning about trees, insects, aquatic creatures, and animal tracks. In the evening there are hayrides in the woods, fishing and making new friends while roasting marshmallows and telling stories
around the campfire. This is a great chance for first time campers to come and
experience the outdoors! Campers can catch the bus in Lansing on Monday
morning or have their parents drop them off at the Ebersole Center.
Explorer Camp
June 12-16 | Students 12–14 years old | $200 person/week
A five-day, four-night camping experience at a rustic campsite on Ebersole property for middle school students. Campers will enjoy hiking at Yankee Springs
recreation Area and cooling off while swimming in Gun Lake. They’ll go fishing
for bluegills and bass at the Center’s private Jackson Lake. Back at camp, there’s
an opportunity to shoot a bull’s eye on the archery range, cook hot dogs and
s’mores over a campfire, hear stories and make a craft project. There will also be
a day trip to Lake Michigan to experience the sand dunes and a canoe trip down
the Thornapple River will round out the week. On Monday morning campers
can catch the bus in Lansing and head for the Ebersole Center.
Round trip bus transportation from Lansing will be available for the Adventure and
Explorer Camps. The bus departs from and returns to the Gardner Middle School
parking lot. Cost of the bus transportation is $35.
Scholarships are available for both camps and applications are due May 5, 2006. The
camp registration deadline is June 2, 2006. Call (517) 325-6348 to obtain brochures,
scholarship applications, and registration forms.
Ve r n on D. E b e r s o le E n v i ron m e n t a l E d u c a tion an d C on fe re n c e C e n te r
Spring 2006
We are starting to schedule for the
2006-07 school year. Groups wishing
to schedule a visit can contact the
Ebersole Center office. All camping
groups that recruit a new group,
district or non-district, that has not
previously camped at the Center will
receive a $100 discount off their total
bill. School groups that book in the
months of January or February will
receive a 15% discount off the student
base price.
The Center is also a great place to
have a conference or workshop. There
are weekend dates available for church
groups, adult groups, family reunions, and
any other event you might be interested
in hosting. Also, weeks are still available
this summer for summer camp groups,
band camps, and athletic camps.
Teambuilding at Eastern High School
The Ebersole Center has been working on launching new outreach programs
this winter season. Teambuilding in the Classroom is one of the new programs
offered by the Center staff. In January, Ebersole Center staff provided
teambuilding training for the Eastern High School freshmen. The freshman
class at Eastern is divided into small learning groups that help students get
a better sense of community within a large high school. Each day a different
learning community spent the morning with Ebersole staff working to
strengthen their communication skills, listening skills, and cooperation with
each other. Trust, diversity and decision-making also played a key role in the
student’s abilities to complete the activities.
The tasks that were assigned to the groups started early in the morning and
as the day progressed the tasks became much more challenging, pushing the
students to utilize everything they had learned. As facilitators, the Center
staff were able to observe the students’ progress throughout the day. We saw
the shy student in the corner develop an idea and lead the group to success.
This was a very positive experience for the students and teachers at Eastern
and also for Ebersole staff. The Eastern High School teachers felt the team
building activities helped students develop skills needed to work together
within their smaller learning communities.
If you are interested in booking a teambuilding experience in your school
for teachers or students please contact the Center at (517) 325-6348 or email
at ebersole@lansingschools.net.
If you are interested in scheduling
a date at the Ebersole Center for the
next school year, please contact us
at (517) 325-6348 or by email at
ebersole@lansingschools.net.
Photos courtesy of Jason Byler
News
Another rare and valuable species is found
Banquet in a Blizzard
in Ebersole grandfriendimus , Mike Kost.
By John Schimmel, Ebersole Foundation Chair
Mike has been a devotee of the Ebersole
It was the “worst of nights... and the best of
nights” for 170 hardy souls who braved the
blizzard of February 4, 2006 to support our
third annual “Give Your Heart to Ebersole...
50’s Style” banquet. Despite the weather,
it was our most successful auction ever!
Photo courtesy of Dave Grist
We grossed over $28,000 and netted approximately $20,000 after expenses. This exceeds our results from last year. More
than 150 items were auctioned or raffled off including U of M vs. MSU football
tickets, a kayak, trips to various other sporting events, original art pieces, jewelry,
an “Owl Prowl,” nature hikes, special dinners, and lots of gift certificates to
many local eateries. Because of the “50’s” theme, we were treated to the view of a
nostalgic ’56 Chevy coupe, an old fashioned “50’s” style TV dinner, the candy
we all remember from our childhood, and even our very own soda fountain
complete with a “soda jerk.” Following the auction, the evening was topped
off with the music of the “Oldies but Goodies” band. It truly did become the best
of nights... as many of us had a chance to walk down memory lane and benefit
the Ebersole Center, too! Mark your calendars now to join us next year,
Saturday, February 3, 2007 as we again celebrate the Center with our “Give
Your Heart to Ebersole... Safari Style.”
However, none of this wonderful evening could have occurred without the many
people who made it possible. We thank all of you who attended and generously
purchased all the items, and of course the many donors and sponsors whose
contributions created the great selection of items to purchase. A very special
thanks goes out to Senator Debbie Stabenow for serving as our Honorary Chair
this year, to Kip Bohne and Jane Aldrich, our host and hostess for the
evening and to Bob Howe who served as our auctioneer. Special recognition
was given to long time friend of the Center, Lyle Stephens by Kellie Dean,
our Development Chair, who honored him with a corporate gift of $10,000...
thanks again to Kellie.
Center since he was first invited to sit
on the Ebersole Advisory Committee by
previous Site Coordinator, Paul Babladelis.
Since then, he has not only served on the
Advisory Board but is currently serving
on the Foundation Board and was the
Foundation’s first secretary. He is also
our resident ecologist.
Currently, Mike is the Ecology Program
Leader for the Michigan Natural Features
Inventory, Michigan State UniversityExtension. As Program Leader, he supervises
seven staff ecologists, prepares grant
proposals and plans and implements
systematic inventories for exemplary
natural communities. It was in this
capacity that Mike first became acquainted
with Ebersole and found it to be a rare
jewel for the richness and diversity that is
found on the tiny 158 acre parcel we call
Ebersole. Mike’s exuberance for the
uniqueness and the variety of species
located at Ebersole is matched only by his
willingness to protect and preserve what
he considers to be one of the most
valuable natural resources in southern
Michigan. Mike has played the lead role of
establishing our first two “Stewardship
The proceeds from the banquet combined with this year’s
contribution from the Dart Foundation means that we have
raised approximately $80,000 toward this year’s payment of
$112,000 needed by August 2nd. And, with $32,000 yet to
go, it also means that our work is not done. It is with this
in mind that I’d like to suggest that if you haven’t taken
the opportunity to help the Foundation with your gift for
this year, please consider doing so soon. We are currently
over half way toward paying off the property we are purchasing and the sooner we accomplish that goal, the sooner
we can begin fundraising for supporting kids and top
quality environmental education programs at Ebersole.
We still need your help so consider writing a check today!
Work Days” at the Center where he trained
and supervised dozens of volunteers to
assist with removal of “invasive species”
in the fen and prairie and is coordinating
our first “prairie burn” in many years. We
are extremely grateful for Mike’s volunteer
efforts on behalf of the Center and his
commitment to high quality environmental
education that is making Ebersole
the premier Center for ecological studies
in Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Dave Grist
TidBits
“Ebersole contains
ten distinct natural
communities, with three
New Ebersole Center Website
The Ebersole Center has launched a new website with the help of Center
naturalist Jason Byler. The site has a new look and layout to highlight
many of the different programs the Center has to offer. If you get the
opportunity, check out the new site at: http://ebersole.lansingschools.net.
Welcome Spring Camping groups
their pristine quality. The
We have a busy spring planned and we would like to offer a special
thank you to the schools and organizations that have booked their
programs with the Ebersole Center. We appreciate your support.
prairie fen along Jackson
Lansing School District participants are: Fairview, Wexford, Riddle,
Lake is particularly diverse,
with numerous springs,
Mt. Hope, Attwood, Cavanaugh, Sheridan Road, and North Elementary
Schools and Otto and Dwight Rich Middle Schools.
nearly one-hundred species
Non-district schools and organizations are: Lowell Murray Lake School,
of plants, and three state-
Resurrection, Holt Midway, St. Gerard, Bath, Detroit Butzel Middle
School, Okemos Painters group, and Madison Ave. Missionary
Baptist Church.
listed rare animal species.”
– Mike Kost
Ecologist
Printed on recycled paper.
EarthBeat by Email
If you are interested in receiving your EarthBeat via email, please notify
the Center at ebersole@lansingschools.net. This is a great way to save
printing costs and valuable resources.
An equal opportunity employer.
recognized statewide for
EarthBeat is a seasonal publication of the Ebersole Environmental
Education and Conference Center, owned and operated by the
Lansing School District.
Editor: Lisa Gallinari
Editorial Assistance: Deborah Neal
Contributions: Jason Byler, Mike Kost, JoAnn Robinson & John Schimmel
Design: McNenly Group
Ebersole Environmental Education and Conference Center
3400 2nd Street, Wayland, MI 49348
Phone: 517.325.6348 or 269.792.6294
e-mail: ebersole@lansingschools.net
web: http://ebersole.lansingschools.net
Lansing Office
519 W. Kalamazoo
Lansing, MI 48933
Lansing, MI
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